Memphis Grizzlies Start NBA Season 6-0 Without Star Core

The Memphis Grizzlies lead the Western Conference at 6-0, marking their best start to a season in over a decade despite losing their entire primary playoff core from previous campaigns.

Roster Turnover and the 6-0 Start

Entering the season without Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane left the franchise facing widespread questions regarding its competitive trajectory. Instead of enduring a prolonged rebuilding phase, Memphis has opened the year with six consecutive victories, culminating in a win over Sacramento on Saturday. The club leads the Western Conference as the league’s final undefeated team.

Rookie Impact and Offensive Production

Nineteen-year-old forward Cam Boozer has emerged as a central figure in the team’s early success. The former Duke player averages 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds—good for sixth in the league—and 5.7 assists per contest. Against Sacramento, Boozer contributed 27 points despite maintaining a 36.5 percent field-goal accuracy over his first six appearances.

Ty Jerome Emerges as Leader

Point guard Ty Jerome has also fueled the offense, averaging 25.8 points, which ties him for tenth in the NBA, alongside 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Selected 24th overall in the 2019 draft, Jerome has transitioned from a backup role into an early contender for the Most Improved Player award and a potential All-Star candidate.

Franchise Records and Scoring Distribution

Memphis has generated 727 total points across its first six outings, establishing a new franchise record. The team paces the league with 121.2 points per game and leads all competitors in bench scoring with an average of 49.0 points from reserves. Five players currently average double figures in scoring, including Boozer, Jerome, Cedric Coward, Isaiah Stewart, and Jaylen Wells.

Upcoming Schedule and Early Opposition

While the start has yielded six wins, the opening schedule featured matchups against the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings twice each, alongside games against the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers. A sterner test awaits this week with fixtures against the Indiana Pacers and the defending champions from Oklahoma City, followed by November games versus the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Full Game Highlights – November 2, 2026 | NBA Season

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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