After a lackluster campaign that saw them win a mere 27 games and finish on the outside looking in on a playoff spot for the first time in four years, the Memphis Grizzlies are champing at the bit as they wait to kick off what is presumed to be a redemption season of sorts in 2024-25.
Per recent reports, the NBA will release its schedule for the upcoming campaign this Thursday and, in turn, will provide Grind City nation a glimpse at what kind of foes await their beloved team.
Considering just how bad things were in 2023-24, the franchise's faithful followers are likely hoping for this coming season to start with an absolute bang.
Be it in the form of highlight-reel dunks or heated, hard-fought exchanges with opposing players, after what they went through with the bevy of core player absences and a record-setting number of injuries, Grizzlies fans deserve to feel a sense of excitement early on in the new year.
Hopefully, they come across such emotions as soon as opening night, and there are a few teams, in particular, that we'd love to see them square off against right from the jump.
Opening night matchups Memphis Grizzlies fans would love to see
Golden State Warriors
Starting off a season filled with new hope against an old foe could be a great way to get things going, and the Golden State Warriors just may be the perfect team to get 2024-25 kicked off.
A rivalry that started to catch serious steam during their 2022 second-round playoff bout, over the years since the two clubs have found themselves taking part in quite a number of intense and high-energy face-offs.
Even last season during Memphis' lackluster campaign, things proved to be quite entertaining in each of their outings against one another, with GG Jackson leading the charge (dropped 23 in their January 15 game) toward a surprise win in one and bench-clearing scrums in another.
BENCHES CLEAR AFTER DRAYMOND AND SANTI ALDAMA GET INTO IT 👀 pic.twitter.com/FRS2atUiIJ
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 21, 2024
A matchup between the Grizzlies and Warriors has become must-see TV, and having the two square off on opening night could be a great way to grab the attention of fans early on into their comeback season.