Athlon Sports

Top 5 most exciting games in Grizzlies history

By Y. Brenner,

6 hours ago

While the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the newest NBA franchises, the team—starting its 24th NBA season soon—has had its share of unforgettable games.

Thankfully, the NBA features 14 Grizzlies games in its Classics series. These include breathtaking performances from Pau and Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr., and Ja Morant.

To help Memphis fans get excited about the 2024-25 season, AthlonSports scanned through the list of Grizzlies Classics and selected the top five most exciting games the franchise has had in its short history.

April 23, 2017: West 1st Round, Game 4: Grizzlies vs. Spurs

This game had everything. Kawhi Leonard, near the peak of his powers, was outdueled by a scorching-hot Mike Conley Jr., who scored 35 points, including a game-tying basket to force overtime. The Klaw kept dominating, including a three-point swish to tie the game near the end of the OT. In Memphis' last time out, coach David Fizdale said the right words: "Marc, bring us home." Gasol delivered. The arena exploded.

November 29, 2003: Pau shines vs. rookie LeBron

It was a battle for the ages when the two-seasons-old Memphis Grizzlies faced Lebron James in his first year in the league. The young Pau Gasol, who dominated in the paint, spearheaded this road victory in Cleveland. The confidence gained in this come-from-behind win gave the Grizzlies the boost they needed to make the playoffs that season for the first time in franchise history.

May 21, 2021: Ja takes down Steph in Play-In Tournament

Entering this elimination game, Golden State was a three-time NBA champion, while Memphis was a young, unproven team led by Morant in only his second season in the league. Everybody expected the Warriors to win, but Ja had other ideas. He announced his arrival on the big stage, scoring 35 points, outdueling one of the best offensive players in history, Steph Curry, and elevating the Grizzlies to an overtime road win. Mike Breen's excited call of Morant's last shot - "puts it up, puts it in!" - will never be forgotten in Memphis.

December 17, 2014: Grizzlies overcome Spurs in 3OT thriller

Another Grizzlies-Spurs thriller. This one went to three overtimes before Memphis finally overcame the defending champions. The game's most memorable moment came at the end of regulation, as Marc Gasol hit an up-and-under, one-legged three-point bank shot as time expired. All the Spurs announcer could say was, "Are you serious??!?"

February 28, 2022: Ja's explodes for massive dunk and 52-point career high

One more Ja performance to close out this list of greatest Grizzlies games, and once again, the Spurs are the opposing team. Morant scorched San Antonio for a career-high 52 points. More importantly, this game featured two of the most beautiful, unbelievable plays in Ja Morant's short career: a frightening poster dunk and a 'how did he do that?!?' shot to end the first half. Must see.