The Memphis Grizzlies have shattered preseason expectations, standing as the NBA’s sole undefeated team with a perfect 6-0 record. This stunning start comes after the front office executed a radical roster rebuild over the past 18 months, trading away franchise pillars Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane. With a victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Nov. 2, the Grizzlies are poised to set a new franchise record for the best start in team history, proving that their strategic recalibration has yielded immediate, tangible results.
A 6-0 start and a historic run challenge the narrative of a team in transition.
The foundation of this unexpected success rests on a young, cohesive core led by 2026 first-round pick Cameron Boozer, 2025 selection Cedric Coward, 2024 pick Zach Edey, and veteran guard Ty Jerome. Notably, Memphis was the only franchise without a player in USA TODAY’s pre-season top 100 rankings, yet these four have emerged as a potent unit capable of exceeding all projections. Their collective performance has transformed the Grizzlies from a team in transition into a legitimate Western Conference playoff contender that few analysts anticipated.
Historical context underscores the significance of this run; in the last 20 seasons, the final remaining undefeated team failed to make the playoffs just three times. No team since the 1998-99 Seattle SuperSonics has started a season with at least six consecutive wins and failed to reach the postseason. As the Grizzlies continue their perfect campaign, they are not only defying the odds but also rewriting the narrative of their franchise’s future, suggesting that the post-star era may be more competitive than previously thought.
Source: Yahoo Sports
