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October 6, 2026 at 10:49 PM UTC

Postgame Report

Grizzlies Bury Hawks in a Second Quarter Blowout, Win Preseason Opener 132-123

Atlanta's new-look roster made its first appearance together Monday night, and Memphis used a 49-point second quarter to take the preseason game.

Atlanta unveiled its new-look roster, and Memphis graded it harshly, 132 to 123 Photo: Sports Illustrated.
Atlanta unveiled its new-look roster, and Memphis graded it harshly, 132 to 123 Photo: Sports Illustrated.

Fans in Atlanta got their first look at the rebuilt Hawks on Monday, and the early review was mixed. Memphis won the preseason opener 132-123, and the game turned in the second quarter, when the Grizzlies scored 49 points to Atlanta's 26 and went to the break up 81-61. The Hawks played the second half better than the first, outscoring Memphis 62-51 over the final two quarters, but a 20-point halftime hole was too much for a night like this one.

The new faces were the story going in, and most of them got real run. Kingston Flemings started and played a game-high 25 minutes, finishing with 11 points and two assists, which is a fair early sign of where he sits in the backcourt pecking order. Aaron Wiggins scored seven points in 11 minutes off the bench, and Zuby Ejiofor added five points and three rebounds in 14. Lu Dort did not play. Corey Kispert, a familiar name, led Atlanta with 19 points in 20 minutes.

Memphis had a new face of its own. Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick, started and had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes, a quiet but tidy first night for the centerpiece of the Grizzlies' youth movement. The scoring came from everywhere. GG Jackson led with 14 off the bench, Ty Jerome and Jaylen Wells each had 12, and Cedric Coward put up nine points, five boards and four assists. Memphis got to its 132 without anyone playing more than 19 minutes.

The backup power forward job behind Jalen Johnson, who had eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes, is still unsettled with Gueye injured, though Asa Newell made the strongest case Monday. He finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds in 22 minutes, the only double-double of the night. Ejiofor was solid, and Dorian Finney-Smith played just eight minutes and scored three points. The Hawks stay home Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs and then see the Pacers.

MEM 132, ATL 123. Photo: Yahoo Sports.
MEM 132, ATL 123. Photo: Yahoo Sports.
MEM 132, ATL 123. Photo: Sports Illustrated.
MEM 132, ATL 123. Photo: Sports Illustrated.

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