No, the Memphis Grizzlies have not won an NBA championship. Their closest run was in the 2012-2013 season, reaching the Western Conference Finals with a 56-26 record, but they were ultimately swept by the San Antonio Spurs in four games.
Grizzlies’ History
The Memphis Grizzlies trace their origins back to 1995 as one of the two Canadian NBA expansion teams, the Vancouver Grizzlies. In those early years, the Grizzlies chugged along on a dismal record of 101-359 (.220) over their first six seasons. That would mean that this is the kind of record with which the team would resonate not just on the court but also within the newly founded fan base. A move was thrust upon the Grizzlies by the smaller basketball market in Vancouver. The team moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 2001, where they would pay their dues being new. In the first season in Memphis, the average attendance by the Grizzlies spiked to around 15,000 for every game from previous generations.
Memphis then spent its remaining years competing into a contending team. Under head coach Hubie Brown, during the 2003-2004 season, the Grizzlies made their first playoff appearance ever and finished that season with a then-franchise-best record of 50-32, setting a turning point as they finished with a winning percentage of .610 and qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Despite the Grizzlies falling sweepingly to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, progress for the Grizzlies during this time indicated a turn in the direction of the team, with them beginning to build a reputation for tenacious defense and hard-nosed play. Memphis also spent heavily in key players , such as Pau Gasol and Shane Battier , during this time and laid the groundwork for what would be a more formidable franchise .
The Grizzlies grew significantly from the period of 2010 to 2017, which would be known as the “Grit and Grind” era. It featured a never-give-up defense alongside great teamwork from guys like Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley. During the 2012-2013 season, Memphis set a franchise record for winning 56 games and they even went to the Western Conference Finals. In this season, Grizzlies had a league best defense, conceding an average of only 89.3 points per game while the league average was 98.1. Memphis was fifth on overall defensive efficiency while also winning Defensive Player of the Year with Marc Gasol. They lost against the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals with a 4-0 sweep. This game was an embodiment of the team’s defensive prowess and indicated well how players whose toughness and tenacity spoke to the fans, as the game attendance at FedExForum swelled to almost 18,000.
Playoff Highlights
The Memphis Grizzlies playoff journey has been a story of gradual improvement and resilience . Having reached the post-season for the first time in the 2003-2004 season, ending years of struggle and signaling this team’s potential in the NBA would have been an impressive achievement by any standards. Memphis registered a regular season record of 50-32 to finish sixth in the Western Conference , although it was an improvement only by six wins more than the season they had recorded 30 victories in previously. Although they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, this season marked the start of a new era for the Grizzlies . In the next two seasons, they were to go back to the playoffs twice but were eliminated on both occasions within the first round, once by the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and once by the Dallas Mavericks in 2006, thereby ending their inaugural playoff appearances with a cumulative 0-12 record.
The biggest playoff upset for the Grizzlies came in the 2010-2011 season when they entered the playoffs as the eighth seed and played against the first seed, San Antonio Spurs. Memphis, with odds stacked against them, went down in history by recording one of the most amazing upsets in NBA history by winning the series 4-2 and only becoming the second eighth seed to eliminate a first seed in a seven-game series. Key contributors Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol were consistent, leading the Grizzlies to solid performance through Randolph’s 21.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Memphis played Oklahoma City to a seven-game series before going down to defeat. It was this run that cemented the franchise’s reputation as a competitive team with an intense, defense-first style of play that would later come to be known as the “Grit and Grind” era, earning respect league-wide .
The Grizzlies peaked during the 2012-2013 season when they made a franchise record of 56 wins. They got hold of the fifth position in the Western Conference and had to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round since they defeated them the year before. For this time, though, the Grizzlies served their vengeance with a 4-2 win over the Clippers with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol leading the way. Gasol was a win of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award as that season proved to be quite helpful in controlling the paint , which helped them not lose their identity, playing as a defensive powerhouse at their best, as if by holding the Clippers on only 91.5 average points per game contrasted with their season average of 101.1. They then met Oklahoma City Thunder and capitalized on an injury to OKC’s Russell Westbrook, defeating the Thunder 4-1 and advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Best Season Yet
The 2012-2013 season became one of the best in the Memphis Grizzlies franchise’s history. This was the team’s first season that acquired an all-time regular season record of 56 wins and a fifth-place standing in the daunting Western Conference that season. That season record equates to a .683 percentage that remains to be the highest winning percentage ever in the franchise’s history. This gives testimony as to how well they played throughout by having a hard and solid defensive game strategy. Under head coach Lionel Hollins, the Grizzlies were one of the top defensive teams in the league, keeping opponents to a meager average of 89.3 points per game, the lowest in the NBA for that season. Memphis then became tough nuts to crack for high-scoring teams and was viewed as a playoff powerhouse.
The “Grit and Grind” approach from the Grizzlies, led by the presence of defensive stalwart Marc Gasol , who also went on to win that particular season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, was the backbone of this remarkable season. Marc Gasol averaged 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while anchoring the team’s defense and leadership on the floor was something very crucial for the team’s success. Power forward Zach Randolph was another offense-first contributor, averaging 15.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Randolph and Gasol had great chemistry inside and dominated the glass, where Memphis rebounded at a league fourth-best rate. Point guard Mike Conley also emerged as a scorer, with 14.6 points and 6.1 assists per game, showing he can not only make plays but be a clutch scorer when necessary.
In the playoffs, the Grizzlies’ season record translated into historic performances . In the first series, Memphis faced a Los Angeles Clippers team that had bested them in a tough seven-game series the year before. This time the Grizzlies made a statement by winning the series 4-2. They held the Clippers to just 91.5 points per game, well below their season average of 101.1 points, and once again showed off Memphis’s stingy defense. Evidently victorious from that game, Memphis progressed to the Western Conference Semifinals, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, however, were without their leading guard in the game, Russell Westbrook . Memphis took advantage of this opportunity, winning the series 4-1, holding Oklahoma City to 95.3 points per game, once again upholding its efficiency in defense.
Their fantastic season ended in the first-ever Western Conference Finals, with veterans San Antonio Spurs, and the Grizzlies were swept 4-0, but the series was closer than the score, forcing Memphis to take Game 2 into overtime and losing two other games by fewer than 10 points. The Grizzlies’ defense was able to throttle Spurs’ high-powered offense back to 93.8 points per game. At the end of it, however, San Antonio playoff experience would be a huge difference in this final product. Still, to this day, the 2004 run remains historic, and that success provided the benchmark the team went forward to meet.
Western Finals Run
The 2012-2013 Memphis Grizzlies made an appearance in the Western Conference Finals, which would always be a milestone for the franchise. They were going to have a hard time run in the playoffs after the record season they had, where they garnered 56 regular season wins, seeding as the fifth team for the postseason. Their first opponent would be the Los Angeles Clippers, who had taken seven games to win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the prior season. This time around, it was Memphis, and they managed to take the series 4-2. Zach Randolph was largely the difference-maker in this series, scoring 20.8 points and chipping in with 8 rebounds per game, though most importantly did so often enough at the right moments, particularly with 25 points in Game 6. The Grizzlies had defended well enough against a Clippers team to average only 91.5 points per contest, proof of their “Grit and Grind” style and propelling their Memphis team into the second round for the second time since the franchise was established back in 1902.
This way, the Grizzlies therefore played the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals, who happened not to have their star guard Russell Westbrook due to injury. Memphis capitalized on this to win the series 4-1 and advance for the first time to the Western Conference Finals. This was a fantastic series for the Grizzlies’ trademark defense of holding the Thunder to an average of 95.3 points a game, 10.4 below their regular-season average of 105.7. Mike Conley was the leading scorer with 18.0 points and 6.8 assists per game, while Marc Gasol was the anchor of the defense, averaging 2.4 blocks and severely limiting Thunder star Kevin Durant’s scoring efficiency. This triumph cemented Memphis as a legitimate title threat and made them one of only a few teams in the history of the playoffs to reach the conference finals without home-court advantage in either of the first two rounds.
Against the veteran San Antonio Spurs team with his grand resume of championship experience, led by future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, Memphis would carry on into the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs’ defense averaged 93.8 points per game for the Grizzlies, but San Antonio’s offense, so balanced that it can run and can shoot, with experience from the playoffs, proved a challenge for Memphis to overcome. Memphis’s offense sputtered; the Grizzlies shot just 38.4% from the field for the series, way off from their season average of 44.4%. Game 2 was an even match, with the Grizzlies forcing overtime, only to lose 93-89. Zach Randolph, the team’s best scorer in the previous series , was limited to only 11 points per game as San Antonio’s defense made sure to keep him locked up in the post.
Key Players Rise
The Memphis Grizzlies have had a history of success over the years through key players whose growth marked the franchise. Among those is Pau Gasol , who was selected in 2001 as the third overall draft pick and quickly became the team’s first star. In his rookie season , he averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game and was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year. For seven seasons with Memphis, Gasol always helped the team become a consistent playoff contender by 2004. He averaged 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in his seven seasons with Memphis. In came Marc Gasol , a foundational player who would soon emerge in Grizzlies history through that trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.
Marc Gasol began his impact for the Grizzlies from the first time he suited up, turning him into an integral pillar of the Grizzlies defense identity . A brilliant mind with an excellent basketball IQ and defensive savvy, Gasol was a defender who put up 1.4 blocks per game for his Memphis career. Marc won the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. For his best season with the Grizzlies in 2014-2015, he scored 17.4 points and grabbed 7.8 rebounds per game while averaging 1.6 blocks per contest, a true two-way star. He ended the season as the All-NBA First Team, a distinction bestowed on few of the Grizzlies players. Marc’s contributions over 11 years have left him among several franchise leaders in multiple aspects, which include games played at 769 and total rebounds at 5,942, putting his name at a place with a lot of Grizzlies greats.
Zach Randolph , brought to Memphis in 2009, was an outright reason to advance the team; he provided a toughness and steadiness unlike any other talent. Randolph was an annoying defender within the pain-gain zone ; he always averaged a double-double for his Grizzlies career, while his best years were 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons when he scored 20.1 points per game along with 12.2 rebounds per game. He anchored the Memphis “Grit and Grind” frontcourt line with Marc Gasol and his rough-around-the-edges, defensive-minded game made the team one of the toughest games to play for opposing teams. Randolph was particularly memorable in the playoffs, especially when he buried 31 points and 11 rebounds to spark a historic first-round upset of Memphis over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in 2011. He spent eight seasons with Memphis and accumulated more than 8,500 points and 4,000 rebounds in his careers. He is part of the leadership ranks of the franchise.
The team has been rejuvenated of late by the emergence of Ja Morant as the face of the franchise; it brings explosive playmaking to the stage that revitalizes the Grizzlies. Drafted second overall in 2019, Morant immediately made his presence known as he took home the NBA Rookie of the Year award with averages of 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. His performances stood out, and in the 2021-2022 season , Morant rose to new heights, recording 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while bringing the Grizzlies to the franchise-best record of 56-26. His speed, scoring ability, and his ability to elevate teammates transformed the Memphis offense into a quick favorite with the fans and a two-time All-Star by 2023. He has also performed equally well in the playoffs, like when he scored 47 points against the Golden State Warriors in 2022, turning out to be one of the highest single-game scoring records in franchise playoff history. The ascension of Morant has rejuvenated the Grizzlies’ identity as a new era of dynamic play, still being the “Grit and Grind” team.
Future Prospects
The Memphis Grizzlies, more so than ever, have a bright future ahead, partly because of their young talent core , which has shown good promise in the recent seasons. An All-Star point guard by the name of Ja Morant and Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Memphis Grizzlies roster. The 2022-2023 season ended in a 51-31 record for the Grizzlies. It was their first season since the “Grit and Grind” 2012-2013 seasons where they finished second in the Western Conference. Morant is the face of the franchise, with average statistics of 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, which propelled the team forward with his electrifying style and leadership. Being only 24 years old, his talent is still developing and makes him a long-term asset to Memphis as the franchise builds its playmaking profile around him.
The financial management of the Grizzlies also is critical in building a competitive team. Memphis has maintained a relatively modest player payroll compared to other Western Conference contenders, with a projected payroll of around $134 million for the 2023-2024 season. This means that Memphis will have room to make strategic acquisitions in the future as it stays below the luxury tax threshold. This budget-conscious strategy allows the Grizzlies to build a well-balanced roster with cap space to retain the core players while acquiring vital role players who complement those stars. Notably, the team managed to secure a long-term extension with Jaren Jackson Jr. for $104.7 million over four years – an astute investment, given his rising impact on both ends of the court. This prudent fiscal policy gives Memphis room to sign free agents or trade assets not encumbered with costly wage liabilities, a critical factor in the highly competitive environment of the NBA.
In terms of the formation of its player base, Memphis has shown the ability to develop young talent—a good omen for the future. Even aside from Morant and Jackson, players like Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams have developed in major ways. Bane scored 21.5 points per game in the 2022-2023 season, often becoming an offensive threat and an elite three-point shooter with a 40.8% success rate for distance shots. The second-year forward Williams has also been seen as a good prospect for depth purposes thanks to his potential as a versatile defender and scorer. The Grizzlies also made a strong move in scouting and player development with a good staff who aim at the improvement of the skills of the players and new talent blended perfectly into the team. This emphasis on development makes Memphis well-placed to sustain competition as they prepare for championships.
Chasing a Title
It is racing ahead in its pursuit of the NBA title as the franchise continues to build out a balanced mix of emerging young stars and well-seasoned role players . It may not have an NBA championship in the history books, but the Grizzlies do appear to be steadily improving , having ended the 2022-23 regular season with a record of 51-31 and managed to secure the second seed in the Western Conference . Their latest play demonstrates to be a prime-contender roster. Scoring and playmaking at the level of 26.2 points and 8.1 assists per game was shown last season, meaning Memphis sees a potential franchise anchor . With his ability to get deep into the playoffs as Ja Morant does now, being 24 gives so much potential for this stage of growth beyond last year alone, so he could continue to lead young for this league .
The Grizzlies have made smart investments in complementary players that add depth to the defense , scoring , and versatility . Jaren Jackson Jr. , for instance, is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-2023 season, averaging 3.0 blocks per game , the highest in the league. His ability to guard multiple positions and protect the rim gives Memphis a defensive edge that many title contenders lack. Desmond Bane has become a reliable scorer and shooter , finishing the 2022-2023 season with averages of 21.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 40.8% from three-point range . His ability to shoot stretches the floor and opens up space for Morant to work in the paint . The pairing of Jackson and Bane makes Memphis’s lineup much stronger because Bane brings shooting capabilities to Memphis’s offense , but Jackson brings strong defense , making Memphis a challenging team on both ends of the floor.
Experience and playoff exposure are critical to Memphis as it chases its first NBA title. A relatively new team, the Grizzlies have gained some great postseason experience recently, and one of the best such experiences was against the Warriors in the 2022 Conference Semifinals ; they lost 4-2 but gave the Warriors some scare in several close games. Morant was brilliant in the series , scoring 47 in Game 2 , clearly showing his ability to get the job done in a postseason setting . This experience will help the team prepare for the possible future high-stakes games as, for many of their core players now, in Morant, Jackson and Bane, have faced the playoff game intensities several times. Familiarity with postseason play is critical in a young team working to compete against veteran-heavy contenders as Memphis goes further.
