2020–21 Memphis Grizzlies season

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2020–21 Memphis Grizzlies season
Head coachTaylor Jenkins
General managerJason Wexler
Owner(s)Robert Pera
ArenaFedExForum
Results
Record38–34 (.528)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Southwest)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(Lost to Jazz 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports South/Bally Sports Southeast[A]
RadioWMFS-FM
< 2019–20 2021–22 >

The 2020–21 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 26th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 20th in Memphis. The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2016–17 season following a victory over the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament. However, they lost to the Utah Jazz in five games.

Draft[]

Main article: 2020 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club
2 40 Robert Woodard II SF  United States Mississippi State

Roster[]

2020–21 Memphis Grizzlies roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 3 Allen, Grayson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1995-10-08 Duke
G/F 1 Anderson, Kyle 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1993-09-20 UCLA
G 22 Bane, Desmond 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1998-06-25 TCU
G/F 24 Brooks, Dillon 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1996-01-22 Oregon
F 15 Clarke, Brandon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1996-09-19 Gonzaga
G 10 Frazier, Tim 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1990-11-01 Penn State
F/C 13 Jackson, Jaren Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1999-09-15 Michigan State
G 21 Jones, Tyus 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1996-05-10 Duke
G 46 Konchar, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1996-03-22 Fort Wayne
F 30 McDermott, Sean (TW) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1996-11-03 Butler
G 0 Melton, De'Anthony 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-05-28 Southern California
G 12 Morant, Ja 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-08-10 Murray State
F/C 4 Porter, Jontay Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1999-11-15 Missouri
F/C 35 Tillie, Killian (TW) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1998-03-05 Gonzaga
F 2 Tillman, Xavier 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1999-01-12 Michigan State
C 17 Valančiūnas, Jonas 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1992-05-06 Lithuania
G/F 7 Winslow, Justise Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1996-03-26 Duke
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 24, 2021

Standings[]

Notes

  • z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
  • c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
  • y – Clinched division title
  • x – Clinched playoff spot
  • pb – Clinched play-in spot
  • o – Eliminated from playoff contention
  • * – Division leader

Game log[]

Preseason[]

2020 preseason game log
Total: 3-1; Home: 1–1; Road: 2–0)
Preseason: 3–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 December 12 @ Minnesota W 107–105 Ja Morant (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Ja Morant (11) Target Center
0 		1–0
2 December 14 @ Minnesota W 123–104 Jonas Valančiūnas (22) Kyle Anderson (8) Ja Morant (7) Target Center
0 		2–0
3 December 17 Atlanta W 128–106 Dillon Brooks (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (13) Ja Morant (13) FedEx Forum
0 		3–0
4 December 19 Atlanta L 116–117 Ja Morant (15) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Ja Morant (8) FedEx Forum
0 		3–1
2020–21 season schedule

Regular season[]

2020–21 game log
Total: 38–34; (Home: 18–16; Road: 19–17
December: 1–3 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 December 23 San Antonio L 119–131 Ja Morant (44) Jonas Valančiūnas (13) Ja Morant (9) FedEx Forum
0 		0–1
2 December 26 Atlanta L 112–122 Ja Morant (28) Kyle Anderson (14) Ja Morant (7) FedEx Forum
0 		0–2
3 December 28 @ Brooklyn W 116–111 Kyle Anderson (28) Jonas Valančiūnas (14) Dillon Brooks (4) Barclays Center
0 		1–2
4 December 30 @ Boston L 107–126 Jonas Valančiūnas (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Kyle Anderson (9) TD Garden
0 		1–3
January: 7–3 (Home: 3–3; Road: 4–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
5 January 1 @ Charlotte W 108–93 Dillon Brooks (21) Tyus Jones (12) Kyle Anderson (11) Spectrum Center
0 		2–3
6 January 3 L.A. Lakers L 94–108 Kyle Anderson (18) Jonas Valančiūnas (10) Dillon Brooks (5) FedEx Forum
0 		2–4
7 January 5 L.A. Lakers L 92–94 Brooks, Dieng, Valančiūnas (13) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Tyus Jones (8) FedEx Forum
0 		2–5
8 January 7 Cleveland L 90–94 Jonas Valančiūnas (17) Jonas Valančiūnas (10) Tyus Jones (6) FedEx Forum
0 		2–6
9 January 8 Brooklyn W 115–110 Dillon Brooks (24) Brandon Clarke (8) Tyus Jones (10) FedEx Forum
0 		3–6
10 January 11 @ Cleveland W 101–91 Dillon Brooks (21) Brooks, Valančiūnas (7) Kyle Anderson (9) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
0 		4–6
11 January 13 @ Minnesota W 118–107 Jonas Valančiūnas (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Tyus Jones (7) Target Center
0 		5–6
– January 15 @ Minnesota Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 5)[1]
12 January 16 Philadelphia W 106–104 Ja Morant (17) Brandon Clarke (11) Ja Morant (6) FedEx Forum
0 		6–6
13 January 18 Phoenix W 108–104 Clarke, Morant (17) Kyle Anderson (8) Ja Morant (10) FedEx Forum
0 		7–6
– January 20 @ Portland Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 23)
– January 22 @ Portland Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 25)
– January 24 Sacramento Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 13)
– January 25 Sacramento Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 14)
– January 27 Chicago Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 12)
14 January 30 @ San Antonio W 129–112 De'Anthony Melton (20) Dieng, Konchar (7) Ja Morant (11) AT&T Center
0 		8–6
February: 7–9 (Home: 4–5; Road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 February 1 @ San Antonio W 133–102 Gorgui Dieng (19) Dieng, Tillman (9) Tyus Jones (14) AT&T Center
0 		9–6
16 February 2 @ Indiana L 116–134 Dillon Brooks (25) Dieng, Konchar (6) De'Anthony Melton (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
0 		9–7
17 February 4 Houston L 105–113 Desmond Bane (16) Xavier Tillman (10) Tyus Jones (8) FedEx Forum
0 		9–8
18 February 6 @ New Orleans L 109–118 Jonas Valančiūnas (23) Xavier Tillman (8) Ja Morant (9) Smoothie King Center
1,440 		9–9
19 February 8 Toronto L 113–128 Jonas Valančiūnas (27) Jonas Valančiūnas (20) Ja Morant (9) FedEx Forum
1,844 		9–10
20 February 10 Charlotte W 130–114 Kyle Anderson (27) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (11) FedEx Forum
1,830 		10–10
21 February 12 @ L. A. Lakers L 105–115 Grayson Allen (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (8) Ja Morant (10) Staples Center
0 		10–11
22 February 14 @ Sacramento W 124–110 Jonas Valančiūnas (25) Jonas Valančiūnas (13) Ja Morant (10) Golden 1 Center
0 		11–11
23 February 16 New Orleans L 113–144 Ja Morant (28) Ja Morant (7) Ja Morant (8) FedEx Forum
1,982 		11–12
24 February 17 Oklahoma City W 122–113 Allen, Valančiūnas (22) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Ja Morant (12) FedEx Forum
0 		12–12
25 February 19 Detroit W 109–95 Ja Morant (29) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Grayson Allen (6) FedEx Forum
1,795 		13–12
26 February 20 Phoenix L 97–128 Gorgui Dieng (15) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Ja Morant (5) FedEx Forum
1,994 		13–13
27 February 22 @ Dallas L 91–102 Ja Morant (22) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (9) American Airlines Center
2,099 		13–14
28 February 25 L. A. Clippers W 122–94 Tyus Jones (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (7) FedEx Forum
1,896 		14–14
29 February 26 L. A. Clippers L 99–119 Jonas Valančiūnas (22) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Ja Morant (5) FedEx Forum
2,039 		14–15
30 February 28 @ Houston W 133–84 Justise Winslow (20) Brandon Clarke (12) Ja Morant (7) Toyota Center
3,284 		15–15
March: 7–8 (Home: 4–4; Road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
31 March 2 @ Washington W 125–111 Ja Morant (35) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Ja Morant (10) Capital One Arena
0 		16–15
32 March 4 Milwaukee L 111–112 Ja Morant (35) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Dillon Brooks (7) FedEx Forum
1,961 		16–16
33 March 10 Washington W 127–112 Jonas Valančiūnas (29) Jonas Valančiūnas (20) Ja Morant (10) FedEx Forum
1,912 		17–16
34 March 12 Denver L 102–103 Brooks, Clarke (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Ja Morant (9) FedEx Forum
2,160 		17–17
35 March 14 @ Oklahoma City L 122–128 Ja Morant (22) Jonas Valančiūnas (14) Ja Morant (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0 		17–18
36 March 15 @ Phoenix L 99–122 Jonas Valančiūnas (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (17) Ja Morant (4) Phoenix Suns Arena
3,188 		17–19
37 March 17 Miami W 89–85 Anderson, Melton, Morant (13) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Melton, Morant (6) FedEx Forum
2,217 		18–19
38 March 19 Golden State L 103–116 Allen, Morant (14) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Tyus Jones (7) FedEx Forum
2,716 		18–20
39 March 20 Golden State W 111–103 Brooks, Valančiūnas (19) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (8) FedEx Forum
0 		19–20
40 March 22 Boston W 132–126 (OT) Ja Morant (29) Jonas Valančiūnas (19) Ja Morant (9) FedExForum
2,319 		20–20
41 March 24 @ Oklahoma City W 116–107 Dillon Brooks (25) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0 		21–20
42 March 26 @ Utah L 114–117 Ja Morant (32) Jonas Valančiūnas (18) Ja Morant (11) Vivint Arena
5,546 		21–21
43 March 27 @ Utah L 110–126 Kyle Anderson (16) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Anderson, Morant (4) Vivint Arena
5,546 		21–22
44 March 29 @ Houston W 120–110 Jonas Valančiūnas (30) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (8) Toyota Center
3,319 		22–22
45 March 31 Utah L 107–111 Ja Morant (36) Jonas Valančiūnas (14) Ja Morant (7) FedEx Forum
2,314 		22–23
April: 10–7 (Home: 3–2; Road: 7–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 April 2 Minnesota W 120–108 Jonas Valančiūnas (19) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Anderson, Morant (7) FedEx Forum
2,987 		23–23
47 April 4 @ Philadelphia W 116–100 Dillon Brooks (17) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Ja Morant (10) Wells Fargo Center
4,094 		24–23
48 April 6 @ Miami W 124–112 Dillon Brooks (28) Jonas Valančiūnas (10) Anderson, Konchar (6) American Airlines Arena
Limited seating 		25–23
49 April 7 @ Atlanta W 131–113 Grayson Allen (30) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Ja Morant (7) State Farm Arena
2,774 		26–23
50 April 9 @ New York L 129–133 (OT) Dillon Brooks (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (14) Ja Morant (6) Madison Square Garden
1,912 		26–24
51 April 11 Indiana L 125–132 Jonas Valančiūnas (34) Jonas Valančiūnas (22) Ja Morant (6) FedEx Forum
2,341 		26–25
52 April 12 Chicago W 101–90 Jonas Valančiūnas (26) Jonas Valančiūnas (14) Ja Morant (10) FedEx Forum
2,194 		27–25
53 April 14 Dallas L 113–114 Grayson Allen (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Bane, Jones, Morant (5) FedEx Forum
2,141 		27–26
54 April 16 @ Chicago W 126–115 Dillon Brooks (32) Kyle Anderson (11) Anderson, Jones (7) United Center
0 		28–26
55 April 17 @ Milwaukee W 128–115 Grayson Allen (26) Anderson, Valančiūnas (8) Kyle Anderson (8) Fiserv Forum
3,280 		29–26
56 April 19 @ Denver L 137–139 (2OT) Ja Morant (36) Xavier Tillman (14) Ja Morant (12) Ball Arena
4,005 		29–27
57 April 21 @ L. A. Clippers L 105–117 Ja Morant (22) Xavier Tillman (12) Ja Morant (4) Staples Center
1,782 		29–28
58 April 23 @ Portland W 130–128 Ja Morant (33) Kyle Anderson (8) Ja Morant (13) Moda Center
0 		30–28
59 April 25 @ Portland W 120–113 Ja Morant (28) Jonas Valančiūnas (10) Desmond Bane (4) Moda Center
0 		31–28
60 April 26 @ Denver L 96–120 Ja Morant (27) Anderson, Jackson Jr. (7) Ja Morant (6) Ball Arena
3,823 		31–29
61 April 28 Portland L 109–130 Jonas Valančiūnas (19) Brandon Clarke (10) Ja Morant (8) FedEx Forum
3,427 		31–30
62 April 30 Orlando W 92–75 Dillon Brooks (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (15) Ja Morant (6) FedEx Forum
2,850 		32–30
May : 6–4 (Home: 4–1; Road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
63 May 1 @ Orlando L 111–112 Dillon Brooks (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Ja Morant (7) Amway Center
3,924 		32–31
64 May 3 New York L 104–118 Dillon Brooks (25) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Kyle Anderson (7) FedExForum
2,789 		32–32
65 May 5 @ Minnesota W 139–135 Ja Morant (37) Brandon Clarke (10) Ja Morant (10) Target Center
1,436 		33–32
66 May 6 @ Detroit L 97–111 Ja Morant (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Anderson, Morant (5) Little Caesars Arena
750 		33–33
67 May 8 @ Toronto W 109–99 Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) Jonas Valančiūnas (21) Ja Morant (6) Amalie Arena
Limited seating 		34–33
68 May 10 New Orleans W 115–110 Dillon Brooks (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (11) Ja Morant (12) FedExForum
2,507 		35–33
69 May 11 Dallas W 133–104 Ja Morant (24) Brandon Clarke (9) Ja Morant (8) FedExForum
2,684 		36–33
70 May 13 Sacramento W 116–110 Dillon Brooks (31) Jonas Valančiūnas (13) Kyle Anderson (9) FedExForum
2,876 		37–33
71 May 14 Sacramento W 107–106 Justise Winslow (25) Justise Winslow (11) Justise Winslow (13) FedExForum
3,502 		38–33
72 May 16 @ Golden State L 101–113 Jonas Valančiūnas (29) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Ja Morant (9) Chase Center
4,416 		38–34
2020–21 season schedule

Play-in[]

2021 play-in game log
Total: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Play-in: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 May 19 San Antonio W 100–96 Dillon Brooks (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (23) Ja Morant (6) FedExForum
7,019 		1–0
2 May 21 @ Golden State W 117–112 (OT) Ja Morant (35) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Anderson, Morant (6) Chase Center
7,505 		2–0

Playoffs[]

See also: 2021 NBA playoffs
2021 playoff game log
Total: 1–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–2)
First round: 1–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 23 @ Utah W 112–109 Dillon Brooks (31) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Ja Morant (4) Vivint Arena
13,750 		1–0
2 May 26 @ Utah L 129–141 Ja Morant (47) Anderson, Valančiūnas (6) Ja Morant (7) Vivint Arena
14,200 		1–1
3 May 29 Utah L 111–121 Ja Morant (28) Anderson, Valančiūnas (13) Ja Morant (7) FedExForum
12,185 		1–2
4 May 31 Utah L 113–120 Ja Morant (23) Jonas Valančiūnas (12) Ja Morant (12) FedExForum
12,185 		1–3
5 June 2 @ Utah L 110–126 Brooks, Morant (27) Jackson Jr., Morant (7) Ja Morant (11) Vivint Arena
14,250 		1–4
2021 playoff schedule

Transactions[]

Main article: List of 2020–21 NBA season transactions

Trades[]

November 19, 2020[2] To Memphis Grizzlies
Draft rights to Xavier Tillman (No. 35) 		To Sacramento Kings
Draft rights to Robert Woodard II (No. 40)
2022 second-round pick
November 20, 2020[3] To Memphis Grizzlies
Mario Hezonja (from Portland)
Draft rights to Desmond Bane (No. 30) (from Boston) 		To Boston Celtics
2023 second-round pick (from Memphis)
2025 second-round pick (from Memphis)
To Portland Trail Blazers
Enes Kanter (from Boston)
Cash considerations (from Memphis)

Free agency[]

Additions[]

Player Signed Former team
Jahlil Tripp[4] Exhibit 10 contract Pacific Tigers
Sean McDermott[5] Two-way contract Butler Bulldogs
Killian Tillie[5] Two-way contract Gonzaga Bulldogs
Ahmad Caver[6] Exhibit 10 contract Old Dominion Monarchs
Zhaire Smith[7] Exhibit 10 contract Detroit Pistons
Bennie Boatwright[7] Exhibit 10 contract Memphis Hustle
Christian Vital[8] Exhibit 10 contract Germany BG Göttingen
Shaq Buchanan[9] Exhibit 10 contract Memphis Hustle
Tim Frazier[10][11][12] Two 10-day contracts / Rest-of-season contract Detroit Pistons

Subtractions[]

Player Reason left New Team
Mario Hezonja[6] Waived Greece Panathinaikos B.C. / Russia BC UNICS
Marko Gudurić[7] Waived Turkey Fenerbahçe Beko
Jahlil Tripp[7] Waived Memphis Hustle
Zhaire Smith[8] Waived Memphis Hustle
Christian Vital[9] Waived Memphis Hustle
Bennie Boatwright[13] Waived Memphis Hustle
Shaq Buchanan[13] Waived Memphis Hustle
Ahmad Caver[13] Waived Memphis Hustle
Gorgui Dieng[14] Waived San Antonio Spurs

Awards and records[]

Player Award Date awarded Ref.
Desmond Bane NBA All-Rookie Second Team June 17, 2021 [15]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Formerly Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast until March 31, 2021.

References[]

  1. ^ "Grizzlies-Timberwolves game postponed for Health and Safety Protocols". NBA.com. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Xavier Tillman Sr. from Kings". NBA.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Desmond Bane and Mario Hezonja in three-team trade with Celtics and Trail Blazers". NBA.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Grizzlies sign Jahlil Tripp". NBA.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Grizzlies sign Killian Tillie and Sean McDermott to two-way contracts". NBA.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Memphis Grizzlies sign Ahmad Caver". NBA.com. December 11, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d "Memphis Grizzlies sign Zhaire Smith and Bennie Boatwright". NBA.com. December 15, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Memphis Grizzlies sign Christian Vital". NBA.com. December 16, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Memphis Grizzlies sign Shaq Buchanan". NBA.com. December 16, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Tim Frazier". NBA.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Tim Frazier to 10-day contract". NBA.com. April 14, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  12. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Tim Frazier for remainder of 2020-21 season". NBA.com. April 24, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c "Memphis Grizzlies finalize 2020-21 regular season roster". NBA.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  14. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies waive Gorgui Dieng". NBA.com. March 26, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "Desmond Bane selected to NBA All-Rookie Second Team". NBA.com. June 17, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
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