2026-10-09 · 7:00 PM CT · Preseason
Memphis Grizzlies25-57
Chicago Bulls31-51ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. NBA comparisons use the completed 2025–26 regular season. Each upcoming fixture labels preseason or regular-season status.
Memphis Grizzlies2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 114.7 | 20 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 42.1 | 23 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 27.8 | 10 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 14.6 | 24 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 8.8 | 10 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 4.8 | 16 / 30 |
| FG% | 45.6% | 27 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 35.3% | 22 / 30 |
| FT% | 79.3% | 9 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 53.3% | 24 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 12.7% | 22 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.251 | 21 / 30 |
Chicago Bulls2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 116.3 | 12 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 45.0 | 9 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 28.5 | 7 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 14.6 | 24 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 7.6 | 23 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 5.0 | 11 / 30 |
| FG% | 46.9% | 14 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 35.6% | 19 / 30 |
| FT% | 77.6% | 18 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 54.7% | 14 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 12.7% | 23 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.246 | 22 / 30 |
ESPN team totals and game box scores checked October 6. NBA season averages and ranks use 2025–26; preseason game results are shown separately. Ranks are within the league, with ties sharing a rank; a lower turnover rate is better. Season offensive rebound rate needs opponent defensive-rebound totals, which this feed does not supply. A dash means unavailable. This game’s offensive rebound rate uses the opponent’s actual rebounds.
eFG% gives a made three its extra value. Turnover rate estimates the share of plays lost before a shot. Offensive rebound rate is the share of available offensive rebounds collected. Free-throw pressure is FTA/FGA. The calculations are (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM)/FGA; TOV/(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV); OREB/(OREB + opponent DREB); and FTA/FGA.
This is preseason. Use the team numbers as background and watch how the new lineups play together. No spread or Lab win probability is published for this game.
Last season 25-57 | 13th in the West | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 112.4 offense | 118.4 defense | -6.0 net per 100 possessions
Memphis finished 13th at 25-57 with a minus-6.0 net rating. Its old core had already begun to dissolve when Jaren Jackson Jr. moved to Utah during the season. Ja Morant's summer trade to Portland makes the change of direction unmistakable. The next successful Grizzlies team will need to establish its own strengths.
Zach Kleiman drafted Cameron Boozer and added Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post among the roster changes. Boozer provides the potential centerpiece, with Cedric Coward coming off an encouraging rookie season. Stewart supplies toughness and frontcourt support. Zach Edey's availability is important because his size can give the young lineup a concrete advantage rather than only future promise.
The concern is how the frontcourt functions together and who consistently starts the offense. A collection of big players can rebound well without defending effectively in space. Ty Jerome's productive scoring came in a small sample last season, so it should not be treated as established full-season starter production. Kleiman has made the timeline clearer, but the young players still need dependable guard play and a more stable defensive structure.
Projected finish is 13th in the West. Boozer's skill and the frontcourt additions should keep Memphis from being an automatic win for opponents. We remain cautious about an immediate Play-In leap after a 27th-ranked defense. The productive version of this season would identify sustainable combinations and give Boozer a team to grow within, rather than asking a rookie to become the entire operating system.
Last season 31-51 | 12th in the East | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 112.1 offense | 117.4 defense | -5.3 net per 100 possessions
Chicago finished 12th at 31-51 and missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. Its minus-5.3 net rating reflected a roster short of both efficiency and extra possessions. The Bulls averaged 3.6 fewer shot opportunities than opponents, with weak offensive rebounding and limited ability to force turnovers making the scoring assignment harder.
Bryson Graham took over the front office and hired Tiago Splitter. Caleb Wilson, the fourth pick, joins Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey as the young foundation. Nic Claxton gives Chicago a more credible interior defender, and Norman Powell supplies experienced scoring. The late acquisition of Buddy Hield adds shooting after Rob Dillingham moved out.
The unfinished issue is producing enough advantages around those players. Claxton can improve the defense without fixing loose possessions or creating perimeter pressure on his own. Powell can score without guaranteeing the young players get better attempts. Graham has made the rebuild more legible, but the roster still needs a sustainable shot-creation structure and a better way to win the possession count. Wilson's development should be supported by that structure rather than treated as its substitute.
Projected finish is 13th in the East. The added size and a clearer development plan should make Chicago more functional, but we do not see enough two-way improvement for a Play-In forecast. The important progress would be better chances for Wilson and Buzelis, fewer wasted possessions and evidence that the defense can hold together with the main offensive players on the court.
A matching published game video is not available in the verified archive yet.
