3 Teams we'd love to see Grizzlies play on opening night of 2024-25 NBA Season

OKC Thunder

Before last season, the Grizzlies were tabbed as the highly talented, up-and-coming team who had the flair, flavor, and captivating star power that convinced everyone that they were the main threat to become the future juggernaut out in the West standings.

Due to injuries and off-court issues, however, it appears Memphis has fallen by the wayside in regard to being seen in such a light, and essentially taking their place when it comes to holding this promising status is the OKC Thunder.

Spearheaded by the likes of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while accompanied by several other budding stars in Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and a plethora of quality role players, Oklahoma City finds itself fresh off a 57-win season and their first semifinal appearance in nearly a decade.

Now, coming into this new year, the Thunder are sporting one of the best odds of vying for the Western Conference crown, similar to how this Grizzlies team was last they were coming into a season healthy and fully intact.

A matchup such as this could provide Memphis with a specific kind of drive to remind not only OKC but the league as a whole that they were here first and that, now presumably injury-free, they can get back to the 2022-23 version of themselves that won 51 games and clinched the second seed along with their second-straight Southwest Division Championship.