History of Memphis Grizzlies in Timeline

The Memphis Grizzlies are an NBA team based in Memphis, Tennessee, playing in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. They are the only major professional sports team in Memphis and one of four in Tennessee, playing their home games at FedExForum.

1968: Memphis sanitation strike protest banners

In 1968, the Memphis Grizzlies' "City" uniform featured lettering based on the "I am a Man" protest banners from the Memphis sanitation strike.

1995: Grizz Introduced

In 1995, Grizz, the official mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies, was first introduced when the team was in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2000: Season Opener Victory

In 2000, the Grizzlies had their last victory in a season opener before their win on October 29, 2014.

March 26, 2001: Grizzlies Apply to Relocate

On March 26, 2001, the Vancouver Grizzlies applied to the NBA to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee.

2002: Worst Start Since

In the 2023–24 NBA season, The Grizzlies had their worst start since the 2002–03 season.

2004: Uniform Redesign

In 2004, coinciding with the move from the Pyramid to FedExForum, the Grizzlies released a new uniform design featuring navy blue, Beale Street blue, smoke blue, and gold, bringing back the team name on the home uniform.

2004: Growl Towels debut

In 2004, the Growl Towels, originally white, made their debut in the third and fourth games of the franchise's first ever playoff series.

2004: Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the first round

In 2004, the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2004 NBA playoffs, starting a rivalry.

2005: Growl Towels switched to gold

In 2005, Growl Towels switched to gold when the Grizzlies changed their team colors.

June 18, 2007: Chris Wallace Named General Manager

On June 18, 2007, Chris Wallace, former Boston Celtics general manager, was named the Memphis Grizzlies' general manager and vice president of basketball operations, replacing the retired Jerry West.

August 16, 2007: Gene Bartow Named President of Basketball Operations

On August 16, 2007, Gene Bartow was named the Memphis Grizzlies' president of basketball operations.

2007: Grizz mascot diagnosed with cancer

In 2007, the performer playing Grizz was diagnosed with cancer, leading to a period where mascots from other teams performed at Grizzlies home games and the launch of "Friends of Grizz" to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

February 1, 2008: Pau Gasol Traded to the Lakers

On February 1, 2008, Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, rights to Marc Gasol, and 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks.

June 25, 2009: Grizzlies Select Hasheem Thabeet in NBA Draft

On June 25, 2009, Memphis selected Hasheem Thabeet with the second overall pick and DeMarre Carroll with the 27th overall pick in the NBA draft.

September 9, 2009: Allen Iverson Signed by Grizzlies

On September 9, 2009, the Grizzlies signed free agent Allen Iverson to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

2009: Alternate Uniform Release

In 2009, the Memphis Grizzlies released an alternate uniform with Beale Street blue as the base color.

2009: Missed Playoffs

The 2009-10 season was the last time the Memphis Grizzlies missed the playoffs, until 2017.

2010: Switching to Adidas' Revolution 30 System

In 2010, when the Grizzlies switched to Adidas' Revolution 30 system, the numbers on their jerseys changed from a split-letter style to a bolder, single-color style.

February 2011: Grizzlies Trade for Shane Battier

In February 2011, while in the playoff hunt, the Grizzlies traded Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, and a protected future first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for Shane Battier and Ishmael Smith.

April 8, 2011: Grizzlies Clinch Playoff Berth

On April 8, 2011, the Grizzlies clinched a playoff berth for the first time in five years with a 101–96 home victory over the Sacramento Kings.

2011: Grizz named NBA Mascot of the Year

In 2011, Grizz was named NBA Mascot of the Year.

2011: Grizzlies upset the Spurs in six games

In 2011, during the 2011 NBA playoffs, the Grizzlies upset the Spurs in six games, marking the fourth time an 8th seed beat a first seed in the playoffs.

2011: Thunder beat Grizzlies in conference semifinals

In 2011, the Thunder beat the Grizzlies in the conference semifinals in seven games during the 2011 NBA playoffs.

2011: Playoff Rematch

In the 2011 playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies had a rematch with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the Thunder won in seven games.

2011: Growl Towels and Playoff Runs

Since 2011, Growl Towels have become notable across the league during Memphis' seven consecutive playoff runs.

2011: Grizzlies-Clippers rivalry begins

Since the 2011-12 season, the Grizzlies have developed a rivalry with the Los Angeles Clippers.

April 18, 2012: Grizzlies Clinch Post-Season Berth

On April 18, 2012, the Grizzlies found their way back into the post-season for the second time in six years after a 103–91 home victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

December 13, 2012: John Hollinger Hired as VP of Basketball Operations

On December 13, 2012, ESPN announced that John Hollinger was hired by the Grizzlies as their new vice president of basketball operations.

2012: Clippers eliminated the Grizzlies in seven games

In the 2011-12 season, the Clippers eliminated the Grizzlies in seven games in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

January 23, 2013: Grizzlies Acquire Jon Leuer

On January 23, 2013, the Grizzlies acquired Jon Leuer from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, and a future first-round pick.

2013: Grizzlies printed over 100,000 Growl Towels

During their 2013 run to the Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies printed over 100,000 Growl Towels.

2013: Grizzlies handled the Thunder in five games

In 2013, the Grizzlies handled the Thunder in five games during the conference semifinals during the 2013 NBA playoffs.

2013: Grizzlies' Season

In 2013, the Memphis Grizzlies began the season struggling, with a 14-18 record while Marc Gasol was out, and entered the All-Star break with a 29-23 record.

2013: Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the conference finals

In 2013, the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the conference finals during the 2013 NBA playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.

2013: Al Kapone's song becomes a Grizzlies standard

In 2013, the popular song from the locally filmed Hustle & Flow by Memphis rapper Al Kapone has become a standard during Grizzlies games since erupting as a spontaneous chant among fans during the 2013 playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

2013: Grizzlies eliminated the Clippers in six games

In the 2012-13 season, the Grizzlies eliminated the Clippers in six games in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs.

October 29, 2014: Grizzlies Victory

On October 29, 2014, the Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 105–101, achieving the franchise's first victory in a season opener since 2000.

2014: Heated matchups between Grizzlies and Clippers continue

Although the two teams never met in the 2014 playoffs, they still engaged in close, heated matchups in the 2014-15 season.

2014: Thunder beat Grizzlies in conference quarterfinals

In 2014, the Thunder beat the Grizzlies in the conference quarterfinals in seven games during the 2014 NBA playoffs.

2014: NBA Playoffs

In the 2014 season, the Memphis Grizzlies made the NBA playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

April 1, 2016: Grizzlies Sign 28th Player

On April 1, 2016, the Memphis Grizzlies signed their 28th player for the season, setting an NBA record.

2016: Spurs swept the Grizzlies

In 2016, the Spurs swept the Grizzlies due to a multitude of injuries suffered during the season.

July 6, 2017: Randolph's Jersey Retirement

On July 6, 2017, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that Zach Randolph's number 50 jersey would be retired in the future. On the same day Tony Allen signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking the end of the "Grit and Grind" era.

2017: Switching to Nike

After switching to Nike in 2017, the Grizzlies made minimal changes to their uniforms.

2017: Tribute Uniform

In 2017, the Grizzlies wore a black sleeved uniform as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

2017: Grizzlies Miss Playoffs

In 2017, with the departures of Randolph and Allen, the Grizzlies missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

March 17, 2018: Tied Losing Streak

On March 17, 2018, the Memphis Grizzlies tied their longest losing streak in franchise history with 19 straight losses.

2018: Restructuring of Basketball Operations

Following the end of the 2018–19 season, controlling owner Robert Pera announced a restructuring of the Grizzlies' basketball operations department.

2018: 2018-19 "City" uniform

In 2018, the Grizzlies' "City" uniform featured a grey base and gold letters, paying tribute to professional wrestling in Memphis.

June 12, 2019: Taylor Jenkins Named Head Coach

On June 12, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies announced Taylor Jenkins as the team's new head coach.

2019: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2019, Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke were named to the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2019: Mike Conley Jr. Trade

In 2019, Mike Conley Jr. was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Grayson Allen, Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder and the 23rd pick of the 2019 NBA draft.

2019: NBA Draft

In the 2019 NBA draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Ja Morant with the second pick and acquired Brandon Clarke through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2019: Throwback Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms

In the 2019-20 season, the Grizzlies did not wear a "City" uniform, opting for the throwback Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms instead.

2020: End of Season

At the conclusion of the 2019-20 NBA season, Ja Morant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

2020: All-Rookie Second Team

In 2020, Rookie Desmond Bane, was selected to the 2020–21 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

2020: 2020-21 "City" uniforms as tribute to Isaac Hayes and Stax Records

In the 2020-21 season, the Grizzlies returned to wearing "City" uniforms, this time with a black base, metallic gold lettering and turquoise trim as a tribute to Isaac Hayes and Stax Records.

May 19, 2021: Play-In Tournament Win

On May 19, 2021, the Memphis Grizzlies secured a 100-96 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the play-in tournament.

May 21, 2021: Play-In Victory

On May 21, 2021, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 117–112 in San Francisco to secure the Western Conference's 8th seed.

November 2021: Tony Allen requested postponement of jersey retirement ceremony

In November 2021, Tony Allen requested that his jersey retirement ceremony be postponed.

2021: Grizzlies got payback on the Spurs in play-in tournament

In 2021, the Grizzlies got payback on the Spurs in the play-in tournament by the score of 100–96.

2021: 2021-22 "City" uniform featured mix of styles

In the 2021-22 season, the Grizzlies wore a commemorative "City" uniform featuring a mix of styles used by the team. The midnight-based uniform featured elements from the Vancouver era as well as the "Grit and Grind" and modern eras.

2021: NBA season

The Grizzlies saw greater success in the following 2021–22 NBA season.

January 28, 2022: Tony Allen's jersey retirement postponed

On January 28, 2022, the Grizzlies originally planned to retire Tony Allen's no. 9 jersey, but the ceremony was later postponed.

March 30, 2022: Division Title Clinched

On March 30, 2022, the Memphis Grizzlies clinched their first division title in franchise history after defeating the San Antonio Spurs.

August 11, 2022: NBA retired Bill Russell's no. 6

On August 11, 2022, the NBA retired Bill Russell's no. 6 for all its member teams.

2022: 2022-23 "City" uniform

For the 2022-23 "City" uniform, the Grizzlies wore black uniforms with Beale Street blue, chrome and gold accents in homage to the Memphis rap genre.

2022: "Statement" Uniform Modified

In 2022, the Grizzlies "Statement" uniform was modified, featuring the full team name in front, the primary logo on the right leg, and "MEM" lines on the striping and beltline.

2022: Grizzlies Season

In the 2022–23 NBA season, the Grizzlies finished with a 51–31 record, securing the second seed in the West.

2023: Off-Season

In the off-season of 2023, the Memphis Grizzlies signed veteran Derrick Rose and acquired Josh Christopher.

2023: 2023-24 "City" uniform

The "City" uniform for the 2023-24 season, according to the team, "represents the pure simple joy of growing up playing basketball on local courts dreaming of representing your hometown team". The black-based uniform features the "MEM" lines in white with gold numbers.

September 2024: Tony Allen's jersey retirement ceremony announced

In September 2024, it was announced that Tony Allen's jersey retirement ceremony would go ahead on March 15, 2025.

2024: Future Draft Pick

In 2019, the Grizzlies traded the 23rd pick (via the Utah Jazz) and the Grizzlies' 2024 second-round pick.

2024: The "City" uniform represents growing up playing basketball

In 2024, the team stated that the "City" uniform for the 2023-24 season represents the pure simple joy of growing up playing basketball on local courts dreaming of representing your hometown team.

2024: Grizzlies games simulcast on local TV stations

Since the 2024-25 season, five Grizzlies games are simulcast over-the-air on Gray Media owned WMC-TV, WSMV-TV, and WBXX-TV.

2025: 2024-25 "City" uniform celebrated the 50th anniversary of the rebranding of Memphis Sounds

The "City" uniform used in the 2024-25 season celebrated the 50th anniversary of the rebranding of Memphis' former ABA team, the Memphis Sounds, using a red base, Beale Street blue and gold accents, and a throwback "Memphis" wordmark in homage to the Sounds' logo.