2020–21 Memphis Grizzlies season

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
Guard Desmond Bane was acquired from the Boston Celtics for two future second-round picks, after they had selected him at #30 overall. He would make the All-Rookie Second Team, having averaged 9.2 points per game on 43.2% shooting from three, the latter of which led all rookies.

They would also trade the rights to Robert Woodard II to Sacramento for #35 overall pick Xavier Tillman, who had played with Jaren Jackson Jr. at Michigan State.

Conference
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

Preseason

 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * December 12
 * @ Minnesota
 * Ja Morant (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (9)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * Target Center 0
 * 1–0
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * December 14
 * @ Minnesota
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (22)
 * Kyle Anderson (8)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Target Center 0
 * 2–0
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * December 17
 * Atlanta
 * Dillon Brooks (24)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
 * Ja Morant (13)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 3–0
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * December 19
 * Atlanta
 * Ja Morant (15)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (9)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 3–1
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (9)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 3–1

Regular season

 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * December 23
 * San Antonio
 * Ja Morant (44)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 0–1
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * December 26
 * Atlanta
 * Ja Morant (28)
 * Kyle Anderson (14)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 0–2
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * December 28
 * @ Brooklyn
 * Kyle Anderson (28)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Dillon Brooks (4)
 * Barclays Center 0
 * 1–2
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * December 30
 * @ Boston
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Kyle Anderson (9)
 * TD Garden 0
 * 1–3
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Kyle Anderson (9)
 * TD Garden 0
 * 1–3


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 5
 * January 1
 * @ Charlotte
 * Dillon Brooks (21)
 * Tyus Jones (12)
 * Kyle Anderson (11)
 * Spectrum Center 0
 * 2–3
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 6
 * January 3
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Kyle Anderson (18)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
 * Dillon Brooks (5)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 2–4
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 7
 * January 5
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Brooks, Dieng, Valančiūnas (13)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Tyus Jones (8)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 2–5
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 8
 * January 7
 * Cleveland
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (17)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
 * Tyus Jones (6)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 2–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 9
 * January 8
 * Brooklyn
 * Dillon Brooks (24)
 * Brandon Clarke (8)
 * Tyus Jones (10)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 3–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 10
 * January 11
 * @ Cleveland
 * Dillon Brooks (21)
 * Brooks, Valančiūnas (7)
 * Kyle Anderson (9)
 * Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 0
 * 4–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 11
 * January 13
 * @ Minnesota
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (24)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Tyus Jones (7)
 * Target Center 0
 * 5–6
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 15
 * @ Minnesota
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 5)
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 12
 * January 16
 * Philadelphia
 * Ja Morant (17)
 * Brandon Clarke (11)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 6–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 13
 * January 18
 * Phoenix
 * Clarke, Morant (17)
 * Kyle Anderson (8)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 7–6
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 20
 * @ Portland
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 23)
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 22
 * @ Portland
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 25)
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 24
 * Sacramento
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 13)
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 25
 * Sacramento
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 14)
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 27
 * Chicago
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 12)
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14
 * January 30
 * @ San Antonio
 * De'Anthony Melton (20)
 * Dieng, Konchar (7)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * AT&T Center 0
 * 8–6
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 14)
 * -style="background:#ccc;"
 * January 27
 * Chicago
 * colspan="6" | Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 12)
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14
 * January 30
 * @ San Antonio
 * De'Anthony Melton (20)
 * Dieng, Konchar (7)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * AT&T Center 0
 * 8–6
 * AT&T Center 0
 * 8–6


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 15
 * February 1
 * @ San Antonio
 * Gorgui Dieng (19)
 * Dieng, Tillman (9)
 * Tyus Jones (14)
 * AT&T Center 0
 * 9–6
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16
 * February 2
 * @ Indiana
 * Dillon Brooks (25)
 * Dieng, Konchar (6)
 * De'Anthony Melton (6)
 * Bankers Life Fieldhouse 0
 * 9–7
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 17
 * February 4
 * Houston
 * Desmond Bane (16)
 * Xavier Tillman (10)
 * Tyus Jones (8)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 9–8
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 18
 * February 6
 * @ New Orleans
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (23)
 * Xavier Tillman (8)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * Smoothie King Center 1,440
 * 9–9
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 19
 * February 8
 * Toronto
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (27)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (20)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * FedEx Forum 1,844
 * 9–10
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 20
 * February 10
 * Charlotte
 * Kyle Anderson (27)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * FedEx Forum 1,830
 * 10–10
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 21
 * February 12
 * @ L. A. Lakers
 * Grayson Allen (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (8)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * Staples Center 0
 * 10–11
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 22
 * February 14
 * @ Sacramento
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (25)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * Golden 1 Center 0
 * 11–11
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * February 16
 * New Orleans
 * Ja Morant (28)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 1,982
 * 11–12
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 24
 * February 17
 * Oklahoma City
 * Allen, Valančiūnas (22)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Ja Morant (12)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 12–12
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 25
 * February 19
 * Detroit
 * Ja Morant (29)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Grayson Allen (6)
 * FedEx Forum 1,795
 * 13–12
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 26
 * February 20
 * Phoenix
 * Gorgui Dieng (15)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Ja Morant (5)
 * FedEx Forum 1,994
 * 13–13
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 27
 * February 22
 * @ Dallas
 * Ja Morant (22)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * American Airlines Center 2,099
 * 13–14
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 28
 * February 25
 * L. A. Clippers
 * Tyus Jones (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * FedEx Forum 1,896
 * 14–14
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 29
 * February 26
 * L. A. Clippers
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (22)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Ja Morant (5)
 * FedEx Forum 2,039
 * 14–15
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 30
 * February 28
 * @ Houston
 * Justise Winslow (20)
 * Brandon Clarke (12)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Toyota Center 3,284
 * 15–15
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (22)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Ja Morant (5)
 * FedEx Forum 2,039
 * 14–15
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 30
 * February 28
 * @ Houston
 * Justise Winslow (20)
 * Brandon Clarke (12)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Toyota Center 3,284
 * 15–15
 * Toyota Center 3,284
 * 15–15


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * March 2
 * @ Washington
 * Ja Morant (35)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * Capital One Arena 0
 * 16–15
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 32
 * March 4
 * Milwaukee
 * Ja Morant (35)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Dillon Brooks (7)
 * FedEx Forum 1,961
 * 16–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 33
 * March 10
 * Washington
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (29)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (20)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * FedEx Forum 1,912
 * 17–16
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 34
 * March 12
 * Denver
 * Brooks, Clarke (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * FedEx Forum 2,160
 * 17–17
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 35
 * March 14
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * Ja Morant (22)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Chesapeake Energy Arena 0
 * 17–18
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 36
 * March 15
 * @ Phoenix
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (24)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (17)
 * Ja Morant (4)
 * Phoenix Suns Arena 3,188
 * 17–19
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37
 * March 17
 * Miami
 * Anderson, Melton, Morant (13)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Melton, Morant (6)
 * FedEx Forum 2,217
 * 18–19
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 38
 * March 19
 * Golden State
 * Allen, Morant (14)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Tyus Jones (7)
 * FedEx Forum 2,716
 * 18–20
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 39
 * March 20
 * Golden State
 * Brooks, Valančiūnas (19)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 0
 * 19–20
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 40
 * March 22
 * Boston
 * Ja Morant (29)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * FedExForum 2,319
 * 20–20
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 41
 * March 24
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * Dillon Brooks (25)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Chesapeake Energy Arena 0
 * 21–20
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 42
 * March 26
 * @ Utah
 * Ja Morant (32)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (18)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * Vivint Arena 5,546
 * 21–21
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 43
 * March 27
 * @ Utah
 * Kyle Anderson (16)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Anderson, Morant (4)
 * Vivint Arena 5,546
 * 21–22
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 44
 * March 29
 * @ Houston
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (30)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * Toyota Center 3,319
 * 22–22
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 45
 * March 31
 * Utah
 * Ja Morant (36)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * FedEx Forum 2,314
 * 22–23
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (30)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * Toyota Center 3,319
 * 22–22
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 45
 * March 31
 * Utah
 * Ja Morant (36)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * FedEx Forum 2,314
 * 22–23
 * 22–23


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46
 * April 2
 * Minnesota
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Anderson, Morant (7)
 * FedEx Forum 2,987
 * 23–23
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 47
 * April 4
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Dillon Brooks (17)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * Wells Fargo Center 4,094
 * 24–23
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * April 6
 * @ Miami
 * Dillon Brooks (28)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
 * Anderson, Konchar (6)
 * American Airlines Arena Limited seating
 * 25–23
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 49
 * April 7
 * @ Atlanta
 * Grayson Allen (30)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * State Farm Arena 2,774
 * 26–23
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 50
 * April 9
 * @ New York
 * Dillon Brooks (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,912
 * 26–24
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 51
 * April 11
 * Indiana
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (34)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (22)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * FedEx Forum 2,341
 * 26–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 52
 * April 12
 * Chicago
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (26)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * FedEx Forum 2,194
 * 27–25
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 53
 * April 14
 * Dallas
 * Grayson Allen (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Bane, Jones, Morant (5)
 * FedEx Forum 2,141
 * 27–26
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 54
 * April 16
 * @ Chicago
 * Dillon Brooks (32)
 * Kyle Anderson (11)
 * Anderson, Jones (7)
 * United Center 0
 * 28–26
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 55
 * April 17
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Grayson Allen (26)
 * Anderson, Valančiūnas (8)
 * Kyle Anderson (8)
 * Fiserv Forum 3,280
 * 29–26
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 56
 * April 19
 * @ Denver
 * Ja Morant (36)
 * Xavier Tillman (14)
 * Ja Morant (12)
 * Ball Arena 4,005
 * 29–27
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 57
 * April 21
 * @ L. A. Clippers
 * Ja Morant (22)
 * Xavier Tillman (12)
 * Ja Morant (4)
 * Staples Center 1,782
 * 29–28
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 58
 * April 23
 * @ Portland
 * Ja Morant (33)
 * Kyle Anderson (8)
 * Ja Morant (13)
 * Moda Center 0
 * 30–28
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * April 25
 * @ Portland
 * Ja Morant (28)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
 * Desmond Bane (4)
 * Moda Center 0
 * 31–28
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 60
 * April 26
 * @ Denver
 * Ja Morant (27)
 * Anderson, Jackson Jr. (7)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * Ball Arena 3,823
 * 31–29
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 61
 * April 28
 * Portland
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
 * Brandon Clarke (10)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 3,427
 * 31–30
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * April 30
 * Orlando
 * Dillon Brooks (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * FedEx Forum 2,850
 * 32–30
 * Portland
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
 * Brandon Clarke (10)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedEx Forum 3,427
 * 31–30
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * April 30
 * Orlando
 * Dillon Brooks (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * FedEx Forum 2,850
 * 32–30
 * FedEx Forum 2,850
 * 32–30


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 63
 * May 1
 * @ Orlando
 * Dillon Brooks (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Amway Center 3,924
 * 32–31
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 64
 * May 3
 * New York
 * Dillon Brooks (25)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Kyle Anderson (7)
 * FedExForum 2,789
 * 32–32
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 65
 * May 5
 * @ Minnesota
 * Ja Morant (37)
 * Brandon Clarke (10)
 * Ja Morant (10)
 * Target Center 1,436
 * 33–32
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 66
 * May 6
 * @ Detroit
 * Ja Morant (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Anderson, Morant (5)
 * Little Caesars Arena 750
 * 33–33
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67
 * May 8
 * @ Toronto
 * Jaren Jackson Jr. (20)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (21)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * Amalie Arena Limited seating
 * 34–33
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 68
 * May 10
 * New Orleans
 * Dillon Brooks (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
 * Ja Morant (12)
 * FedExForum 2,507
 * 35–33
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 69
 * May 11
 * Dallas
 * Ja Morant (24)
 * Brandon Clarke (9)
 * Ja Morant (8)
 * FedExForum 2,684
 * 36–33
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 70
 * May 13
 * Sacramento
 * Dillon Brooks (31)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
 * Kyle Anderson (9)
 * FedExForum 2,876
 * 37–33
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 71
 * May 14
 * Sacramento
 * Justise Winslow (25)
 * Justise Winslow (11)
 * Justise Winslow (13)
 * FedExForum 3,502
 * 38–33
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 72
 * May 16
 * @ Golden State
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (29)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * Chase Center 4,416
 * 38–34
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 72
 * May 16
 * @ Golden State
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (29)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
 * Ja Morant (9)
 * Chase Center 4,416
 * 38–34
 * 38–34

Play-in

 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * May 19
 * San Antonio
 * Dillon Brooks (24)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (23)
 * Ja Morant (6)
 * FedExForum 7,019
 * 1–0
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * May 21
 * @ Golden State
 * Ja Morant (35)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Anderson, Morant (6)
 * Chase Center 7,505
 * 2–0
 * Chase Center 7,505
 * 2–0

Playoffs

 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * May 23
 * @ Utah
 * Dillon Brooks (31)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Ja Morant (4)
 * Vivint Arena 13,750
 * 1–0
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * May 26
 * @ Utah
 * Ja Morant (47)
 * Anderson, Valančiūnas (6)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * Vivint Arena 14,200
 * 1–1
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 3
 * May 29
 * Utah
 * Ja Morant (28)
 * Anderson, Valančiūnas (13)
 * Ja Morant (7)
 * FedExForum 12,185
 * 1–2
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * May 31
 * Utah
 * Ja Morant (23)
 * Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
 * Ja Morant (12)
 * FedExForum 12,185
 * 1–3
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5
 * June 2
 * @ Utah
 * Brooks, Morant (27)
 * Jackson Jr., Morant (7)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * Vivint Arena 14,250
 * 1–4
 * Brooks, Morant (27)
 * Jackson Jr., Morant (7)
 * Ja Morant (11)
 * Vivint Arena 14,250
 * 1–4