The Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks open their preseason schedules against each other on October 5, 2026, in Atlanta. Both teams are in transition, with Memphis trading away cornerstones and Atlanta looking to build on its Southeast Division title.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks will tip off the 2026-27 preseason on October 5, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Both teams enter the game with significant roster questions — Memphis after trading away two cornerstone players and Atlanta after a busy offseason of roster tweaks. The Hawks, who finished atop the Southeast Division, hold the home-court edge in this early-season tune-up, but the Grizzlies’ new-look rotation will be eager to prove itself. Expect a competitive preseason opener with both teams testing lineups and rotations.
Memphis Grizzlies: A New Era After Trades
The Grizzlies are coming off a turbulent offseason that saw them trade away two cornerstone players, leaving the team in a transitional phase. With no recent game data available, the focus is on how the new-look rotation will gel. Memphis finished 5th in the Southwest Division last season and will be looking to climb back into contention. The team will rely on its remaining core to step up, but the loss of key veterans means younger players will need to seize expanded roles. The somber news of Brandon Clarke’s passing—ruled a drug-related death by the Los Angeles County medical examiner—adds an emotional weight to the season. The Grizzlies will likely use this preseason opener to evaluate their new lineup combinations and build chemistry ahead of the regular season.
Atlanta Hawks: Building on Division Success
The Hawks enter the 2026-27 campaign as the top team in the Southeast Division, a position they’ll look to defend. Atlanta has not yet played a game this preseason, so this contest will serve as their first opportunity to integrate offseason additions and evaluate their young core. The team’s front office moves have been under the microscope, with analysts grading their free-agent signings and extensions. The Hawks’ draft class could also make an immediate impact, as NBA insiders project several rookies to contribute early. With the NBA Cup group stage on the horizon, this game will be crucial for establishing momentum and testing rotations. Atlanta’s home-court advantage in this matchup could prove decisive as they look to assert their dominance in the East.
Head-to-Head: Early-Season X-Factors
This preseason matchup will be less about the final score and more about player development and roster evaluation. For the Grizzlies, the key will be identifying who steps into the primary scoring role after the departure of their cornerstone players. For the Hawks, the focus will be on how their new pieces fit alongside their existing core. Both teams will be monitoring player minutes and rotations closely, with an eye toward the regular season. The preseason nature means star players may see limited action, so depth and bench production could be the deciding factors.
- Grizzlies’ new-look rotation needs to find offensive cohesion after trading away key scorers.
- Hawks’ offseason additions will be tested for the first time in game action.
- Both teams will likely use this game to experiment with lineups and player combinations.
- Emotional backdrop: Grizzlies playing in the wake of Brandon Clarke’s tragic death.
- Preseason games often come down to which team’s bench unit performs better.
Prediction
This is a preseason game, so the result carries little weight in the standings, but it will set the tone for both teams. The Hawks, playing at home and with a more established roster, should have the edge. The Grizzlies are in a rebuilding phase and may struggle to find rhythm early. Expect Atlanta to control the game and come away with a comfortable victory, though Memphis will show flashes of potential. Prediction: Hawks win, 112-104.
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