Memphis has a perfect 6-0 record, the NBA’s best net rating, and a top-five offense and defense. Hot shooting isn’t the only reason for their success.
A relentless defense and contributions from across the roster have powered the Grizzlies to a surprising 6-0 start. Saturday’s 136-105 rout of Sacramento matched the best season-opening in franchise history, and a win over New Orleans tonight would set a new record. In the six-game surge, Memphis closed out tight contests, adapted seamlessly to missing players, and consistently delivered strong performances.
Balance is the team’s defining trait. In six games, CraftedNBA’s stats show Memphis scoring 118.8 points and allowing just 104.1 per 100 possessions, ranking among the NBA’s elite on both ends. Their plus-14.7 net rating tops the league. Memphis has been winning with efficiency on both ends, never needing to outscore defensive lapses.
The Grizzlies are lighting up the scoreboard with a league-best 121.2 points per game while holding opponents to just 106. By grabbing 49.8 rebounds per game, they end possessions and deny opponents second chances. When shots stop falling, Memphis can always rely on its rebounding edge.
Isaiah Stewart connected the two ends after the Sacramento game, explaining that getting stops allows Memphis to run. He also emphasized the pride involved in limiting an opposing focal point and forcing other opposing players to carry more of the scoring. With Stewart and Zach Edey inside and Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward on the perimeter, the Grizzlies have options for handling different matchups.
Memphis has another major weapon in the form of hot three-point shooting. The Grizzlies have torched nets from deep, hitting nearly 42 percent of their threes and leading the league with 16 makes per game. This perimeter firepower stretches defenses, creating opportunities for both guards and big men to attack.
Sustaining that kind of shooting won’t be a walk in the park, so shot selection becomes crucial. Stewart noted that Coach Iisalo empowers players to fire away when open, while Iisalo himself praised a selfless group focused on team wins over personal stats. The real test will come when shots stop falling and when trust in the open man is challenged.
Point guard Ty Jerome set the early tone, but Memphis has already turned to others to run the offense. When Jerome sat out against Sacramento, Cam Spencer stepped up with 10 points, 13 assists, and zero turnovers. Iisalo praised Spencer’s calm command and ability to involve everyone, also noting that his shooting creates opportunities for teammates. The Grizzlies got steady playmaking without asking Spencer to mirror Jerome’s scoring.
Stewart’s growing offensive role has unlocked another weapon for Memphis. He credits Iisalo with urging him to expand his game, giving him more freedom and confidence. Rookie Cameron Boozer brings playmaking punch up front, as his 18-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist night against Portland showed. With so many ways to start the offense, Memphis makes it easier for any ballhandler.
Preparation across the roster has made these adjustments seamless. Stewart highlighted depth as a key asset, praising teammates who stay sharp in practice while awaiting their shot. Iisalo credited summer work and strong conditioning for that readiness. It paid off against Sacramento, when Memphis, fresh off a grueling road swing and facing lineup questions, still played at a high level.
The schedule adds important perspective. Four of Memphis’ four wins came against Sacramento and Utah, who combined for a 1-11 record at the time. But the Grizzlies also notched road victories at Golden State and Portland, sweeping their four-game trip. Tougher tests lie ahead, challenging Memphis’s decision-making and showing how the offense adapts without its top options. So far, the Grizzlies have capitalized on favorable matchups and shown they can win on the road.
Tonight’s visit from New Orleans gives Memphis a chance at the first 7-0 start in franchise history, with Jerome available after missing the Sacramento game. The Pelicans arrive at FedExForum at 7 p.m. CT with a 2-4 record and two straight wins after a 0-4 start.
Zion Williamson is averaging 20.7 points on 64.4 percent shooting, so Memphis needs to get positioned early and play disciplined help around the paint. The New Orleans also turns the ball over 17.2 times a game. Memphis has to protect the ball and force the Pelicans to attack its half-court defense.
Iisalo continues to emphasize relentless effort and selflessness, while Stewart warns against complacency. Memphis has already shown the payoff: a defense sturdy enough to weather cold spells and an offense flexible enough to share the load. A seventh win would be historic, but more importantly, the Grizzlies have built multiple paths to get there.
