Grizzlies NBA Cup Quest: Can They Shake Up West Group B?

August 22, 2025 Chukz Blog 0

 


Grizzlies NBA Cup Quest: Can They Shake Up West Group B?

With Jaren Jackson Jr. still nursing an injury, the Grizzlies will have a tough time winning the 2025 NBA Finals.

 

Due to internal strife, the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2024–25 season came to a close, although they had been a top-four Western Conference club for the majority of the season.

 

After winning the play-in tournament, they saved a playoff position, but they were swept in a four-game series by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

 

The Grizzlies appeared to be continuing their successful 2022–23 season, reestablishing themselves as a top Western Conference team, until their terrible 2023–24 campaign.

 

However, after a thorough self-evaluation, they concluded that their current core wasn’t strong enough, prompting them to change their approach to roster construction and ultimately result in the Desmond Bane deal.

 

The Grizzlies may have a tough road ahead of them without Jaren Jackson Jr. to navigate this season.

 

The group stage of the NBA Cup doesn’t end until late November, so it’s likely that Jackson won’t be able to play every minute of it.

Grizzlies get one of the most difficult draws in NBA Cup West Group B

The Western Conference is filled with tough opponents. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they were drawn into the worst possible group for the NBA Cup.

Along with the Grizzlies, the Lakers, and the Clippers were the three Los Angeles teams that finished in the conference’s top four last season and advanced to the playoffs.

On top of that, the Grizzlies will be meeting their playoff-clinching play-in opponent, the Dallas Mavericks.

 

At the very least, there should be a bit of a breather for the Grizzlies in the form of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Grizzlies game-by-game predictions for 2025 NBA Cup

 

Game 1: Grizzlies vs. Lakers, October 31 at 9:30 PM E.T.

In recent years, games between the Grizzlies and the Lakers have been filled with excitement, with Ja Morant teasing LeBron James and James responding with his own antics.
Despite playing at home, Memphis will have a tough time containing the Purple and Gold, especially because Jackson will probably sit out this game for the Grizzlies.
The Lakers were forced to take numerous difficult shots from beyond the arc because of Jackson, a multi-faceted defender, who helped block shots to the basket.
However, if he isn’t on the court, the Lakers will be able to exploit the Grizzlies’ defense holes to score easy points from beyond the arc. Particularly for the Grizzlies, Luka Doncic will provide a formidable defense.
Doncic, who is committed for the upcoming season, isn’t exactly a sluggish or easy target, so it’s surprising that either Jaylen Wells or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be tasked with protecting him.

If Jackson were healthy, the Grizzlies may even have the advantage considering that the game is at home. But without him, Memphis is toast in this matchup.

 

Prediction: Grizzlies lose by double digits

 

Game 2: Grizzlies vs. Mavericks, November 7 at 8:00 PM E.T.

Just as in their game against the Lakers, the Grizzlies will rely on Jackson to keep the Mavericks at bay. Actually, in their play-in game, Anthony Davis scored 40 points before leaving due to an injury, and Jackson was still in good health.

 

The Mavericks have a significant advantage in frontcourt matchups without Jackson. They boast an exceptionally strong frontcourt, featuring long-armed, athletic players like PJ Washington, Cooper Flagg, and Davis who excel at both ends of the court, and talented centers like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.

 

The Grizzlies will suffer yet another defeat at the hands of the Mavs because of how they are prepared to attack the paint.

 

 

Prediction: Grizzlies lose a close game

Game 3: Grizzlies @ Pelicans, November 26 at 8:00 PM E.T.

In a battle of the only winless games of the group, the Grizzlies will be looking to at least finish their 2025 NBA Cup journey on a respectable note. And a battle against the Pelicans, a team with many question marks, comes in at just the right time.

The Grizzlies have the depth to combat the Pelicans, and New Orleans will be looking at plenty of uncertainty on the injury front, particularly with Zion Williamson. Memphis is about to earn their first NBA Cup group win on the road.

Prediction: Grizzlies win a close game

Game 4: Grizzlies @ Clippers, November 28 at 10:00 PM E.T.

In a rough scheduling quirk, the Grizzlies will be playing two NBA Cup games in three nights — with both of those games coming on the road.

 

Facing a Clippers team that’s still looking to make it to the knockout stage, however, will prove to be a task too difficult fo the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were swept in the season series by the Clippers last year. Even with their revamped lineup, the Clippers will continue to dominate the NBA, particularly on home court.

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