For weeks, the Memphis Grizzlies weren’t just dealing with losses on the court. They were navigating injuries, a punishing schedule, shifting lineups, and the sense that the season might slip away before it truly began.
Then something changed.
A team that felt scattered began to find its rhythm. Their defense sharpened. Their energy settled. Their chemistry grew stronger. And as the NBA’s In-season tournament temporarily halts their slate, the Grizzlies enter this break with something they had not felt in a while: renewed belief in who they are becoming.
“It’s a chance to reset,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “But also a chance to build on the things we’ve been showing.”
For the first time this season, that statement carries genuine weight.
A Team That Lost Its Rhythm Finds a New One
Early on, the Grizzlies were running uphill. No team in the Western Conference had a heavier game load. Players moved in and out of the rotation. Continuity was nearly impossible. The rhythm of the team felt off, and the burden showed.
But the last nine games marked a turning point. Defensive possessions became more connected. Offense came with greater purpose. The team’s spirit looked steadier. The results followed.
Forward Jaylen Wells summed it up clearly.
“We just wear teams down,” Wells said. “It feels like us.”
That was not the case in November. It is now.
A Bench That Restores More Than Points
The Grizzlies’ bench has emerged as one of the most reliable parts of the team. Santi Aldama has played with confidence and creativity. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has provided steadiness and leadership. Cam Spencer has supplied timely shooting and spark. Jock Landale has brought toughness and physical presence.
Aldama acknowledged the early struggles with the second unit.
“We hadn’t been together long, and you could feel it,” he said. “But we’ve tightened it up. Now the ball is moving, everyone sees the game the same way, and it’s fun.”
Caldwell-Pope echoed that sentiment.
“You can just feel the chemistry,” he said. “It’s there in how we play, and it’s there off the court too.”
The bench has not simply stabilized games. It has reshaped the team’s confidence.
The Edey Effect: A Center Who Brings Balance
Zach Edey’s return has been one of the most important developments of the season. He is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and shooting better than 63 percent from the field. Those numbers matter, but his impact goes far beyond them.
When Edey is in the game, the Grizzlies look composed. Defensive rotations are clearer. Rebounding becomes a strength rather than a challenge. Guards defend more aggressively because they trust the support behind them.
His per-40-minute averages of 21.1 points and 17.2 rebounds suggest a player whose role will only continue to expand. The team’s record without him (4–9) underscores how much he stabilizes the floor.
Edey’s presence does not simply fill space. It helps the Grizzlies feel centered again, like they finally know who they are on the floor.
A Chance to Exhale and Move Forward With Purpose
After weeks of constant motion, the Grizzlies finally have space to breathe. December brings a more manageable schedule. Ja Morant is nearing a return. Defensive consistency is improving. The locker room carries a sense of calm that was missing earlier this season.
Iisalo pointed to Sunday’s performance as an example of meaningful growth.
“When we needed it, there was another level we could reach,” he said. “Energy, focus, connectedness. It all went up.”
That was not always the case earlier in the season. It is now becoming part of their identity.
A Future That Feels Possible Again
The Grizzlies still have work to do. They must prove they can beat stronger teams. They must continue building chemistry. They must stay healthy. But for the first time this year, they look like a group moving in the right direction rather than searching for direction. Memphis has regained something essential: a sense of who it can become.
When the Grizzlies return Friday night, they will not just be returning from a break. They will be continuing a climb that finally feels realistic. A team that once looked lost now looks ready, and it has given its city something to believe in again.