2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season
The 2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 28th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 22nd in Memphis.
2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season | |
---|---|
Division champions | |
Head coach | Taylor Jenkins |
General manager | Jason Wexler |
Owner(s) | Robert Pera |
Arena | FedExForum |
Results | |
Record | 51–31 (.622) |
Place | Division: 1st (Southwest) Conference: 2nd (Western) |
Playoff finish | First Round (lost to Lakers 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | Bally Sports South Bally Sports Southeast |
Radio | WMFS-FM |
The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive season and won the Southwest division title for the second consecutive season. In the playoffs the Grizzlies were upset by the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, losing in six games, becoming the sixth 2-seed team to lose a playoff series against a 7-seed, following the Dallas Mavericks in 1987, the Utah Jazz in 1989, the San Antonio Spurs in 1991, the Miami Heat in 1998, and the Dallas Mavericks again in 2010.
Throughout the season, the Grizzlies were marred by controversy, being heavily scrutinized for their antics and lack of maturity. Particularly scrutinized was Dillon Brooks, who was amongst the league leaders for most technical and flagrant fouls and, throughout the season, became known for cheap shots on opposing players and even a cameraman, leading to multiple fines and one-game suspensions. Ja Morant was also under much scrutiny for his and his entourage's outside conduct, with his entourage getting into a notably aggressive confrontation with the Indiana Pacers after a game, his father getting into repeated sideline confrontations, and Morant flashing a gun on Instagram Live which led him to get suspended for eight games near the end of the regular season. After the season ended, Morant flashed another gun on Instagram Live, leading to him being suspended for the first twenty-five games of the following season.
Following their loss to the Lakers, the team, particularly Morant and Brooks, was roundly mocked on social media due to their conduct throughout the season and postseason. After the season, Brooks was acquired by the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade agreement after being told he would "not be brought back under any circumstances" to the Grizzlies.