Tuesday afternoon, the NBA released its complete game and national television schedule for Group Play of the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, which means all clubs, including the Memphis Grizzlies, now officially know who they'll be squaring off against as they contend for in-season glory as well as a chance to win up to $500,000 per player.
Grind City floundered exponentially during the tournament's debut run last season, as they went winless through four games played, grouping them in with the San Antonio Spurs as the only two teams to finish with an 0-4 record.
2024-25 provides the West Group C Grizzlies with a brand new opportunity to bounce back in a big way during the illustrious tournament's second annual run, and their first shot at doing so will come mid-November in a matchup against Golden State.
Memphis Grizzlies full Emirates NBA Cup 2024 schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (CDT) | NATIONAL TV |
---|---|---|---|
11/15 | @ Golden State Warriors | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
11/19 | Denver Nuggets | 7:00 p.m. | |
11/29 | New Orleans Pelicans | 4:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
12/3 | @ Dallas Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. |
As noted, the Grizzlies faired incredibly poorly during last year's NBA Cup debut. Frankly, this low-end production was consistent throughout the campaign as a whole.
Of course, what must be remembered is the fact that Memphis was without their top-dog franchise cornerstone, Ja Morant for all of the tournament and all but nine games on the year as a whole.
The point guard was sidelined for the first 25 games of the season (which coincided with the NBA Cup festivities) due to suspension and, less than a month into his return, was shut down for good after undergoing right shoulder surgery.
If last season showed Grizzlies fans anything, it's that Morant's availability has been more imperative to the organization's illustrious successes over the years than perhaps many may have previously believed.
This was made apparent with their putrid 27-55 finish to the season with the 25-year-old regularly out and, perhaps more relevant, during the games he suited up for where he helped guide them to their longest win-streak on the year (four games) and an overall record of 6-3 before going under the knife.
Now officially cleared for basketball activities, Morant is presumed to be gearing up for a redemption season in 2024-25 and is already sending warning signals to the rest of the league as he works his way back to full strength.
With the big-three of him, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. expected to be completely healthy, Grizzlies fans believe this team will look more like the 2022-23 version that won a whopping 51 games rather than last season's that finished 13 in the Western Conference standings.
Should this happen, the expectation is that they'll prove to be one of the most ferocious opponents to go up against during this year's Emirates NBA Cup.