The 2020-21 Memphis Grizzlies season was a pivotal one, marking the franchise’s return to the playoffs after a brief rebuilding phase. Led by second-year standout Ja Morant, the Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 38-34 record, securing the ninth seed in the Western Conference. Their season was defined by a young core, including players like Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr., who provided crucial support throughout the campaign.
Memphis demonstrated resilience in the NBA’s new play-in tournament format. They first defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 100-96, in a gritty contest to advance in the tournament. The Grizzlies then faced the Golden State Warriors, a game in which Ja Morant shined by scoring 35 points, including several clutch baskets in overtime, leading to a 117-112 victory. This win secured their spot as the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Grizzlies faced the top-seeded Utah Jazz in the first round. Memphis won the opening game of the series, 112-109, with a standout performance from Dillon Brooks. However, the more experienced Jazz team adjusted and won the next four games, eliminating the Grizzlies in a gentleman’s sweep. Despite the first-round exit, the season was seen as a success and a step forward in the development of the Grizzlies’ promising young core.
- Regular Season Record: 38-34
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-4
Memphis Grizzlies Roster and Stats for 2020-21 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Ja Morant | 63 | 19.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 30.3 | 5 | 30.2 | 4.8 | 8.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 32.3 |
| Dillon Brooks | 67 | 17.2 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 34.4 | 5 | 25.8 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 40.0 |
| Jonas Valančiūnas | 62 | 17.1 | 12.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 36.8 | 5 | 15.0 | 9.8 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 25.0 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 11 | 14.4 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 28.3 | 5 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 28.6 |
| Kyle Anderson | 69 | 12.4 | 5.7 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 36.0 | 5 | 8.4 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Grayson Allen | 50 | 10.6 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 39.1 | 5 | 6.4 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 38.1 |
| Brandon Clarke | 59 | 10.3 | 5.6 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 26.0 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Desmond Bane | 68 | 9.2 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 43.2 | 5 | 5.6 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 50.0 |
| De'Anthony Melton | 52 | 9.1 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 41.2 | 5 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 30.0 |
| Gorgui Dieng | 22 | 7.9 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 47.9 | |||||||
| Justise Winslow | 26 | 6.8 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 18.5 | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Xavier Tillman Sr. | 59 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 33.8 | 3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tyus Jones | 70 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 32.1 | 5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| John Konchar | 43 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 37.5 | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Killian Tillie | 18 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 30.3 | |||||||
| Sean McDermott | 18 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 22.7 | |||||||
| Jontay Porter | 11 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 37.5 | |||||||
| Tim Frazier | 5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
Memphis Grizzlies in the 2021 NBA Playoffs
2021 NBA Play-In Tournament
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2021 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 100-96 | |
| May 21, 2021 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-112 |
Playoffs First Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies faced the top-seeded Utah Jazz, showcasing their resilience and youthful energy. Despite winning Game 1 in an impressive upset, the Grizzlies struggled to contain the Jazz's potent offense led by Donovan Mitchell, ultimately falling in five games. This playoff appearance marked a significant step in the Grizzlies' development, with emerging star Ja Morant providing a glimpse of the team's promising future.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2021 | @ Utah Jazz | W 112-109 | |
| May 26, 2021 | @ Utah Jazz | L 141-129 | |
| May 29, 2021 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 121-111 | |
| May 31, 2021 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 120-113 | |
| Jun 02, 2021 | @ Utah Jazz | L 126-110 |
Memphis Grizzlies 2020-21 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2020-21 season for the Memphis Grizzlies.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2020 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 131-119 | |
| Dec 26, 2020 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 122-112 | |
| Dec 28, 2020 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 116-111 | |
| Dec 30, 2020 | @ Boston Celtics | L 126-107 | |
| Jan 01, 2021 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 108-93 | |
| Jan 03, 2021 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-94 | |
| Jan 05, 2021 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 94-92 | |
| Jan 07, 2021 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 94-90 | |
| Jan 08, 2021 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 115-110 | |
| Jan 11, 2021 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-91 | |
| Jan 13, 2021 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 118-107 | |
| Jan 16, 2021 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-104 | |
| Jan 18, 2021 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 108-104 | |
| Jan 30, 2021 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 129-112 | |
| Feb 01, 2021 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 133-102 | |
| Feb 02, 2021 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 134-116 | |
| Feb 04, 2021 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 115-103 | |
| Feb 06, 2021 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L 118-109 | |
| Feb 08, 2021 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 128-113 | |
| Feb 10, 2021 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 130-114 | |
| Feb 12, 2021 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-105 | |
| Feb 14, 2021 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 124-110 | |
| Feb 16, 2021 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L 144-113 | |
| Feb 17, 2021 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 122-113 | |
| Feb 19, 2021 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 109-95 | |
| Feb 20, 2021 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 128-97 | |
| Feb 22, 2021 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 102-92 | |
| Feb 25, 2021 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 122-94 | |
| Feb 26, 2021 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 119-99 | |
| Feb 28, 2021 | @ Houston Rockets | W 133-84 | |
| Mar 02, 2021 | @ Washington Wizards | W 125-111 | |
| Mar 04, 2021 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 112-111 | |
| Mar 10, 2021 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 127-112 | |
| Mar 12, 2021 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 103-102 | |
| Mar 14, 2021 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 128-122 | |
| Mar 15, 2021 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 122-99 | |
| Mar 17, 2021 | vs. Miami Heat | W 89-85 | |
| Mar 19, 2021 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 116-103 | |
| Mar 20, 2021 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 111-103 | |
| Mar 22, 2021 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 132-126 | |
| Mar 24, 2021 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 116-107 | |
| Mar 26, 2021 | @ Utah Jazz | L 117-114 | |
| Mar 27, 2021 | @ Utah Jazz | L 126-110 | |
| Mar 29, 2021 | @ Houston Rockets | W 120-110 | |
| Mar 31, 2021 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 111-107 | |
| Apr 02, 2021 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 120-108 | |
| Apr 04, 2021 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 116-100 | |
| Apr 06, 2021 | @ Miami Heat | W 124-112 | |
| Apr 07, 2021 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 131-113 | |
| Apr 09, 2021 | @ New York Knicks | L 133-129 | |
| Apr 11, 2021 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 132-125 | |
| Apr 12, 2021 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 101-90 | |
| Apr 14, 2021 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 114-113 | |
| Apr 16, 2021 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 126-115 | |
| Apr 17, 2021 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 128-115 | |
| Apr 19, 2021 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 139-137 | |
| Apr 21, 2021 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 117-105 | |
| Apr 23, 2021 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-128 | |
| Apr 25, 2021 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 120-113 | |
| Apr 26, 2021 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 120-96 | |
| Apr 28, 2021 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 130-109 | |
| Apr 30, 2021 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 92-75 | |
| May 01, 2021 | @ Orlando Magic | L 112-111 | |
| May 03, 2021 | vs. New York Knicks | L 118-104 | |
| May 05, 2021 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 139-135 | |
| May 06, 2021 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 111-97 | |
| May 08, 2021 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 109-99 | |
| May 10, 2021 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 115-110 | |
| May 11, 2021 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 133-104 | |
| May 13, 2021 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 116-110 | |
| May 14, 2021 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 107-106 | |
| May 16, 2021 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 113-101 |