2021–22 Memphis Grizzlies season

The 2021–22 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 27th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 21st in Memphis.

2021–22 Memphis Grizzlies season
Division champions
Head coachTaylor Jenkins
General managerJason Wexler
OwnersRobert Pera
ArenaFedExForum
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Southwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(lost to Warriors 2–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports South
Bally Sports Southeast
RadioWMFS-FM
< 2020–21 2022–23 >

On December 2, 2021, the Grizzlies defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder by an NBA record–setting 73 points, with a final score of 152–79; at one point they led by 78 points (148–70) in the final minutes of the game, but the 73-point margin is still the largest margin of victory in NBA history. The previous record was a Cleveland Cavaliers 68–point blowout win over the Miami Heat, 148–80, on December 17, 1991, that game had held the record for nearly three decades. The Grizzlies also set several other franchise records that same night, with points in one single game (152 points) and bench points scored (93 points).[1]

The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive season after a 133–103 win over the Indiana Pacers on March 25, 2022. They also won the Southwest division title for the first time in Grizzlies' franchise history after a 112–111 win over the San Antonio Spurs on March 30, 2022.[2] They are also the second non–Texas based franchise to win the Southwest Division title since the 2007–08 New Orleans Hornets. The Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games the first round, winning their first playoff series since 2015.[3] In the second round, they faced the Golden State Warriors, where they lost in six games.[4]

Draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege/Club
117Trey Murphy IIISmall forward  United StatesVirginia
251Brandon Boston Jr.Shooting guard  United StatesKentucky

The Grizzlies carried one first-round pick and one second-round pick at the onset of the draft.[5] The 51st pick was acquired by the Grizzlies from the Mavericks as part of a Delon Wright trade from the 2019-20 season.[6] They would select Virginia forward Trey Murphy III before later swapping him with #10 pick Ziaire Williams – who had been taken by New Orleans – as part of a three-team trade also involving Charlotte.[7]

Roster

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2021–22 Memphis Grizzlies roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C4Adams, Steven6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)265 lb (120 kg)1993-07-20Pittsburgh
F/C7Aldama, Santi6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)215 lb (98 kg)2001-01-10Loyola (MD)
G/F1Anderson, Kyle6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg)1993-09-20UCLA
G22Bane, Desmond6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)1998-06-25TCU
G/F24Brooks, Dillon6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1996-01-22Oregon
F15Clarke, Brandon6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)1996-09-19Gonzaga
G/F23Culver, Jarrett6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)195 lb (88 kg)1999-02-20Texas Tech
F/C13Jackson, Jaren, Jr.6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)242 lb (110 kg)1999-09-15Michigan State
G21Jones, Tyus6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)196 lb (89 kg)1996-05-10Duke
G46Konchar, John6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)1996-03-22Purdue Fort Wayne
G0Melton, De'Anthony6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)200 lb (91 kg)1998-05-28USC
G12Morant, Ja6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)174 lb (79 kg)1999-08-10Murray State
F5Pons, Yves (TW)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1999-05-27Tennessee
G3Terry, Tyrell (TW)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)160 lb (73 kg)2000-09-28Stanford
F/C35Tillie, Killian6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1998-03-05Gonzaga
F2Tillman, Xavier6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)245 lb (111 kg)1999-01-12Michigan State
F8Williams, Ziaire6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)185 lb (84 kg)2001-09-12Stanford
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 3, 2022

Standings

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Division

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Southwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yMemphis Grizzlies5626.68330‍–‍1126‍–‍1511–582
xDallas Mavericks5230.6344.029‍–‍1223‍–‍1814–282
xNew Orleans Pelicans3646.43920.019‍–‍2217‍–‍246–1082
piSan Antonio Spurs3448.41522.016‍–‍2518‍–‍236–1082
Houston Rockets2062.24436.011‍–‍309‍–‍323–1382

Conference

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Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1zPhoenix Suns *6418.78082
2yMemphis Grizzlies *5626.6838.082
3xGolden State Warriors5329.64611.082
4xDallas Mavericks5230.63412.082
5yUtah Jazz *4933.59815.082
6xDenver Nuggets4834.58516.082
7xMinnesota Timberwolves4636.56118.082
8piLos Angeles Clippers4240.51222.082
9xNew Orleans Pelicans3646.43928.082
10piSan Antonio Spurs3448.41530.082
11Los Angeles Lakers3349.40231.082
12Sacramento Kings3052.36634.082
13Portland Trail Blazers2755.32937.082
14Oklahoma City Thunder2458.29340.082
15Houston Rockets2062.24444.082

Game log

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Preseason

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2021 preseason game log
Total: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)
Preseason: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1October 5MilwaukeeW 87–77 Ja Morant (27)Steven Adams (10)Ja Morant (4)FedExForum
N/A[a]
1–0
2October 7@ CharlotteW 128–98 Desmond Bane (19)Steven Adams (16)Ja Morant (8)Spectrum Center
8,916
2–0
3October 9@ AtlantaL 87–91 Desmond Bane (18)Xavier Tillman (11)Xavier Tillman (4)FedExForum
11,027
2–1
4October 11DetroitW 127–92 Ja Morant (24)Steven Adams (9)Ja Morant (5)FedExForum
10,286
3–1
5October 13@ IndianaL 107–109 Sam Merrill (30)Santi Aldama (11)John Konchar (6)Gainbridge Fieldhouse
5,997
3–2
6October 15@ ChicagoL 105–118 Jaren Jackson Jr. (29)Steven Adams (9)Desmond Bane (5)United Center
14,412
3–3
2021–22 season schedule

Regular season

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2021–22 game log
Total: 56–26 (home: 30–11; road: 26–15)
October: 3–3 (home: 1–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1October 20ClevelandW 132–121 Ja Morant (37)Steven Adams (14)Ja Morant (6)FedExForum
15,975
1–0
2October 23@ L.A. ClippersW 120–114 Ja Morant (28)Steven Adams (9)Ja Morant (8)Staples Center
16,748
2–0
3October 24@ L.A. LakersL 118–121 Ja Morant (40)Steven Adams (16)Ja Morant (10)Staples Center
18,997
2–1
4October 27@ PortlandL 96–116 Desmond Bane (19)Ja Morant (9)Ja Morant (10)Moda Center
16,241
2–2
5October 28@ Golden StateW 104–101 (OT)Ja Morant (30)Kyle Anderson (9)Ja Morant (5)Chase Center
18,064
3–2
6October 30MiamiL 103–129 Melton, Morant (20)Adams, Tillman Sr. (5)Ja Morant (7)FedExForum
15,989
3–3
November: 8–7 (home: 6–4; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
7November 1DenverW 106–97 Ja Morant (26)Kyle Anderson (9)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
12,683
4–3
8November 3DenverW 108–106 Jaren Jackson Jr. (22)Adams, Jackson Jr. (8)Tyus Jones (7)FedExForum
12,977
5–3
9November 5@ WashingtonL 87–115 Jaren Jackson Jr. (13)Jaren Jackson Jr. (9)Anderson, Morant (4)Capital One Arena
16,302
5–4
10November 7MinnesotaW 125–118 (OT)Ja Morant (33)Anderson, Clarke (9)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
12,416
6–4
11November 10CharlotteL 108–118 Ja Morant (32)Steven Adams (13)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
13,880
6–5
12November 12PhoenixL 94–117 Ja Morant (26)Ja Morant (12)Ja Morant (6)FedExForum
15,886
6–6
13November 13@ New OrleansL 101–112 Dillon Brooks (23)Adams, Morant (9)Ja Morant (10)Smoothie King Center
14,358
6–7
14November 15HoustonW 136–102 Ja Morant (22)Jaren Jackson Jr. (7)Ja Morant (6)FedExForum
11,482
7–7
15November 18L.A. ClippersW 120–108 Ja Morant (28)Steven Adams (10)Adams, Morant (5)FedExForum
13,419
8–7
16November 20@ MinnesotaL 95–138 Desmond Bane (21)John Konchar (7)Ja Morant (5)Target Center
17,136
8–8
17November 22@ UtahW 119–118 Ja Morant (32)Brandon Clarke (9)Ja Morant (7)Vivint Arena
18,306
9–8
18November 24TorontoL 113–126 Ja Morant (23)Brandon Clarke (8)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
15,409
9–9
19November 26AtlantaL 100–132 John Konchar (17)Brooks, Clarke, Jackson Jr., Konchar (5)Brandon Clarke (4)FedExForum
16,622
9–10
20November 28SacramentoW 128–101 Dillon Brooks (21)Steven Adams (12)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
12,844
10–10
21November 30@ TorontoW 98–91 Jaren Jackson Jr. (25)De'Anthony Melton (10)Tyus Jones (6)Scotiabank Arena
19,800
11–10
December: 12–4 (home: 6–3; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
22December 2Oklahoma CityW 152–79 Jaren Jackson Jr. (27)Santi Aldama (10)Tyus Jones (9)FedExForum
13,103
12–10
23December 4@ DallasW 97–90 Desmond Bane (29)Steven Adams (13)Tyus Jones (7)American Airlines Center
19,396
13–10
24December 6@ MiamiW 105–90 Bane, Brooks (21)Steven Adams (16)Dillon Brooks (8)FTX Arena
19,600
14–10
25December 8DallasL 96–104 Jaren Jackson Jr. (26)Steven Adams (9)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
14,025
14–11
26December 9L.A. LakersW 108–95 Jaren Jackson Jr. (25)Steven Adams (13)Jones, Melton (6)FedExForum
16,334
15–11
27December 11HoustonW 113–106 Dillon Brooks (25)Steven Adams (9)Tyus Jones (6)FedExForum
17,794
16–11
28December 13PhiladelphiaW 126–91 Dillon Brooks (23)Desmond Bane (8)Desmond Bane (6)FedExForum
13,420
17–11
29December 15@ PortlandW 113–103 Desmond Bane (23)Steven Adams (14)Dillon Brooks (6)Moda Center
15,773
18–11
30December 17@ SacramentoW 124–105 Desmond Bane (24)Steven Adams (12)Kyle Anderson (6)Golden 1 Center
14,659
19–11
31December 19PortlandL 100–105 Dillon Brooks (37)Steven Adams (9)Adams, Jones (5)FedExForum
15,977
19–12
32December 20Oklahoma CityL 99–102 Dillon Brooks (19)Steven Adams (14)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
15,721
19–13
33December 23@ Golden StateL 104–113 Ja Morant (21)De'Anthony Melton (9)Ja Morant (6)Chase Center
18,064
19–14
34December 26@ SacramentoW 127–102 Desmond Bane (28)John Konchar (14)Ja Morant (9)Golden 1 Center
15,685
20–14
35December 27@ PhoenixW 104–103 Ja Morant (33)Steven Adams (16)Steven Adams (7)Footprint Center
17,071
21–14
36December 29L.A. LakersW 104–99 Ja Morant (41)Ja Morant (10)Tyus Jones (7)FedExForum
17,794
22–14
37December 31San AntonioW 118–105 Ja Morant (30)Steven Adams (13)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
15,412
23–14
January: 12–4 (home: 6–1; road: 6–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
38January 3@ BrooklynW 118–104 Ja Morant (36)Steven Adams (12)Ja Morant (8)Barclays Center
17,089
24–14
39January 4@ ClevelandW 110–106 Ja Morant (26)Steven Adams (11)Desmond Bane (7)Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
18,178
25–14
40January 6DetroitW 118–88 Ja Morant (22)Steven Adams (14)Melton, Morant (6)FedEx Forum
12,983
26–14
41January 8@ L.A. ClippersW 123–108 Jaren Jackson Jr. (26)Brandon Clarke (15)De'Anthony Melton (6)Staples Center
17,936
27–14
42January 9@ L.A. LakersW 127–119 Desmond Bane (23)Jaren Jackson Jr. (12)Kyle Anderson (8)Staples Center
18,288
28–14
43January 11Golden StateW 116–108 Ja Morant (29)Jaren Jackson Jr. (11)Ja Morant (8)FedEx Forum
17,794
29–14
44January 13MinnesotaW 116–108 Desmond Bane (21)John Konchar (17)Ja Morant (9)FedEx Forum
15,881
30–14
45January 14DallasL 85–112 Ja Morant (19)Jaren Jackson Jr. (8)Ja Morant (8)FedEx Forum
16,712
30–15
46January 17ChicagoW 119–106 Bane, Morant (25)Steven Adams (10)Tyus Jones (8)FedEx Forum
17,794
31–15
47January 19@ MilwaukeeL 114–126 Ja Morant (33)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (14)Fiserv Forum
17,341
31–16
48January 21@ DenverW 122–118 Ja Morant (38)De'Anthony Melton (9)Ja Morant (6)Ball Arena
17,009
32–16
49January 23@ DallasL 91–104 Ja Morant (35)Ja Morant (13)Ja Morant (6)American Airlines Center
19,701
32–17
50January 26@ San AntonioW 118–110 Ja Morant (41)Jaren Jackson Jr. (9)Ja Morant (8)AT&T Center
14,662
33–17
51January 28UtahW 119–109 Ja Morant (30)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (10)FedEx Forum
16,916
34–17
52January 29WashingtonW 115–95 Ja Morant (34)Steven Adams (15)John Konchar (5)FedEx Forum
17,135
35–17
53January 31@ PhiladelphiaW 122–119 (OT)Ja Morant (37)Steven Adams (12)Ja Morant (5)Wells Fargo Center
20,424
35–18
February: 8–2 (home: 2–1; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
54February 2@ New YorkW 120–108 Jaren Jackson Jr. (26)Steven Adams (13)Ja Morant (9)Madison Square Garden
19,812
36–18
55February 5@ OrlandoW 135–115 Ja Morant (33)Steven Adams (11)Steven Adams (8)Amway Center
18,846
37–18
56February 8L.A. ClippersW 135–109 Ja Morant (30)Jaren Jackson Jr. (11)Ja Morant (5)FedEx Forum
16,101
38–18
57February 10@ DetroitW 132–107 Ja Morant (23)Steven Adams (14)Ja Morant (6)Little Caesars Arena
18,744
39–18
58February 12@ CharlotteW 125–118 Ja Morant (26)Steven Adams (11)Anderson, Morant (6)Spectrum Center
19,454
40–18
59February 15@ New OrleansW 121–109 Tyus Jones (27)Steven Adams (13)Tyus Jones (9)Smoothie King Center
15,901
41–18
60February 16PortlandL 119–123 Ja Morant (44)Brandon Clarke (10)Ja Morant (11)FedEx Forum
16,834
41–19
61February 24@ MinnesotaL 114–119 Jackson Jr., Williams (21)Steven Adams (12)De'Anthony Melton (6)Target Center
16,326
41–20
62February 26@ ChicagoW 116–110 Ja Morant (46)Steven Adams (21)Adams, Bane (5)United Center
21,959
42–20
63February 28San AntonioW 118–105 Ja Morant (52)Steven Adams (14)Anderson, Bane (6)FedEx Forum
16,812
43–20
March: 11–3 (home: 7–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
64March 3@ BostonL 107–120 Ja Morant (38)Steven Adams (8)Ja Morant (7)TD Garden
19,156
43–21
65March 5OrlandoW 124–96 Ja Morant (25)John Konchar (11)Ja Morant (7)FedEx Forum
17,794
44–21
66March 6@ HoustonL 112–123 Desmond Bane (28)Steven Adams (12)Jones, Morant (6)Toyota Center
18,055
44–22
67March 8New OrleansW 132–111 Ja Morant (24)Ja Morant (8)Ja Morant (8)FedEx Forum
16,433
45–22
68March 11New YorkW 118–114 Ja Morant (37)Adams, Anderson (9)Ja Morant (8)FedEx Forum
17,188
46–22
69March 13@ Oklahoma CityW 125–118 Desmond Bane (21)Steven Adams (16)Ja Morant (10)Paycom Center
17,482
47–22
70March 15@ IndianaW 135–102 Desmond Bane (21)Steven Adams (13)Tyus Jones (10)Gainbridge Fieldhouse
15,027
48–22
71March 18@ AtlantaL 105–120 Ja Morant (29)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (4)State Farm Arena
18,062
48–23
72March 20@ HoustonW 122–98 Desmond Bane (24)Steven Adams (9)Bane, Jones (7)Toyota Center
18,055
49–23
73March 23BrooklynW 132–120 Bane, Melton (23)Steven Adams (11)Tyus Jones (10)FedEx Forum
17,794
50–23
74March 24IndianaW 133–103 Desmond Bane (30)Steven Adams (17)Steven Adams (6)FedEx Forum
16,205
51–23
75March 26MilwaukeeW 127–102 De'Anthony Melton (24)Adams, Tillman (11)Tyus Jones (10)FedEx Forum
17,794
52–23
76March 28Golden StateW 123–95 Desmond Bane (22)Adams, Tillman (9)Tyus Jones (6)FedEx Forum
17,011
53–23
77March 30@ San AntonioW 112–111 Tyus Jones (25)Steven Adams (8)Tyus Jones (6)AT&T Center
15,821
54–23
April: 2–3 (home: 2–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
78April 1PhoenixW 122–114 Dillon Brooks (30)Kyle Anderson (10)Brooks, Tillman (7)FedEx Forum
17,794
55–23
79April 5@ UtahL 115–121 (OT)Jaren Jackson Jr. (28)Steven Adams (13)Steven Adams (8)Vivint Arena
18,306
55–24
80April 7@ DenverL 109–122 Desmond Bane (14)Steven Adams (8)Adams, Konchar (5)Ball Arena
19,520
55–25
81April 9New OrleansW 141–114 Dillon Brooks (23)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (9)FedEx Forum
17,207
56–25
82April 10BostonL 110–139 Santi Aldama (20)John Konchar (13)John Konchar (10)FedEx Forum
17,441
56–26
2021–22 season schedule

Playoffs

edit
2021–22 game log
Total: 6–6 (home: 4–2; road: 2–4)
First Round: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1April 16MinnesotaL 117–130 Ja Morant (32)Brandon Clarke (12)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
17,794
0–1
2April 19MinnesotaW 124–96 Ja Morant (23)Ja Morant (9)Ja Morant (10)FedExForum
17,794
1–1
3April 21@ MinnesotaW 104–95 Desmond Bane (26)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (10)Target Center
19,634
2–1
4April 23@ MinnesotaL 118–119 Desmond Bane (26)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (10)Target Center
19,832
2–2
5April 26MinnesotaW 111–109 Ja Morant (30)Brandon Clarke (15)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
17,794
3–2
6April 29@ MinnesotaW 114–106 Desmond Bane (23)Jaren Jackson Jr. (14)Ja Morant (11)Target Center
20,323
4–2
Conference Semifinals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 1Golden StateL 116–117 Ja Morant (34)Jaren Jackson Jr. (10)Ja Morant (10)FedExForum
17,794
0–1
2May 3Golden StateW 106–101 Ja Morant (47)Ja Morant (8)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
17,794
1–1
3May 7@ Golden StateL 112–142 Ja Morant (34)De'Anthony Melton (4)Ja Morant (7)Chase Center
18,064
1–2
4May 9@ Golden StateL 98–101 Jaren Jackson Jr. (21)Steven Adams (15)Dillon Brooks (8)Chase Center
18,064
1–3
5May 11Golden StateW 134–95 Jaren Jackson Jr. (21)Steven Adams (13)Tyus Jones (9)FedExForum
17,794
2–3
6May 13@ Golden StateL 96–110 Dillon Brooks (30)Steven Adams (10)Tyus Jones (8)Chase Center
18,064
2–4
2021–22 season schedule

Transactions

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Subtractions

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PlayerReason leftNew team
Jontay Porter[8]Waived
Justise Winslow[9]Free agencyLos Angeles Clippers

Notes

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  1. ^ Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.

References

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  1. ^ "Grizzlies set NBA record with 73-point victory over Thunder". NBA.com. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Walsh, Erin. "Grizzlies Clinch 2022 NBA Playoff Spot with Win over Pacers". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "Grizzlies beat T-Wolves to clinch 1st playoff series win in 7 years". theScore.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Mullinax, Joe (May 13, 2022). "Grizzlies fall to Warriors in Game 6, historic season ends". Grizzly Bear Blues. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "2021 NBA draft order: Complete picks for the first and second round". espn.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Dallas Mavericks acquire Delon Wright". NBA.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Grizzlies acquire Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, draft rights to Ziaire Williams and two draft picks in three-team trade with Pelicans and HorNets". NBA.com.
  8. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies waive Jontay Porter". NBA.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  9. ^ "LA Clippers Sign Justise Winslow". NBA.com. August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.