Boston Celtics vs Memphis Grizzlies

The game will take place on October 8, 2025, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET. It is a preseason matchup serving as the Celtics’ first game of their 2025-26 season preparation, and a chance for both teams to test their depth and chemistry.

Memphis faces a heavily depleted roster. Star guard Ja Morant is out week-to-week with a sprained ankle. Forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is sidelined with a toe injury. Center Zach Edey has an ankle injury, and Brandon Clarke is unavailable with a knee issue. As a result, Memphis will rely more on role players and bench rotation pieces to fill minutes. Boston is also missing a key piece: Jayson Tatum will not play as he continues recovery from a ruptured Achilles. Jaylen Brown was listed as questionable with a mild knee issue but is expected to play in limited minutes. The Celtics have also moved on from several veterans (Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis) in the offseason, reshaping their rotation.

Boston’s coach Joe Mazzulla is using this preseason opportunity to reshape his team’s identity. According to previews, Boston Celtics are emphasizing increased speed, intensity, and a more aggressive defensive mindset to compensate for lost veteran experience. With Tatum out, Jaylen Brown is expected to take a larger leadership role, and Mazzulla will experiment with new lineups and rotations to see which combinations stick. Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo faces the challenge of compensating for multiple absences. With his core players out, Iisalo is likely to push younger rotation pieces and stress aggressiveness in offense — as he’s remarked in earlier comments, “the right thing is to be aggressive.” Memphis may also mix small lineups and try to speed up possessions to mitigate size and talent deficits.

Media coverage frames this matchup more as a lab for roster evaluation than a must-win game. With both franchises in transition, many outlets stress how each team will test new rotations and chemistry under duress. The Celtics’ narrative centers on how well Brown can lead and how quickly young and newly acquired players adapt without their star, Tatum. For Memphis, writers are warning that the injury situation could severely limit competitiveness and that the franchise will lean heavily on untested depth. Some pundits are watching how Memphis handles ball movement and defensive pressure without its top defenders.

In studio discussions before tip-off, analysts are expected to highlight matchup discrepancies and depth as deciding factors. Many will observe that Boston’s depth gives them a slight edge even without Tatum, as their young core has more continuity and offensive cohesion. Others will point out Memphis’ predicament: the absence of Morant and Jackson Jr. forces the team into makeshift rotations and may expose them defensively. Analysts might debate whether Iisalo’s push for aggressiveness can overcome the talent gaps, or whether Boston’s new identity of pace and pressure will overwhelm the undermanned Grizzlies. Studio voices will also likely caution that while the result matters little in standings, this game could reveal which fringe players or new signings are ready for more responsibility.

Watch and Download Boston Celtics vs Memphis Grizzlies – Wednesday 08 October, 2025, NBA Full Game and Highlights Replay 2025-2026 – Preseason

Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors