Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies

The Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies will face each other on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The preseason clash is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 PM Eastern Time and serves as one of the final tune-ups before the start of the 2025–26 NBA regular season. Both teams will use this game to test rotations, evaluate bench depth, and fine-tune their systems as they prepare for a demanding campaign. With new players and tactical adjustments on both sides, this matchup is expected to provide valuable insight into each team’s readiness for the upcoming year.

Memphis comes into the game short-handed, with several key players unavailable. Ja Morant remains sidelined with an ankle sprain and is not expected to play. Jaren Jackson Jr. is also out with a toe injury, while Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke are both nursing leg issues. Scotty Pippen Jr. will miss the game due to toe soreness. These absences force the Grizzlies to rely more heavily on supporting players such as Ty Jerome, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Jock Landale. Coach Tuomas Iisalo will also look at younger names like Cedric Coward for additional minutes. Atlanta, on the other hand, has no major injuries reported ahead of the matchup. Quin Snyder is expected to rotate his full roster but may still manage minutes carefully to avoid any unnecessary risks during the preseason.

From a tactical perspective, Tuomas Iisalo faces an early challenge as Memphis’ new head coach. His system emphasizes quick passing, floor spacing, and disciplined team defense, but missing key starters will test his ability to adapt. The Grizzlies are likely to field smaller lineups and lean on perimeter shooting to compensate for the absence of their interior presence. Quin Snyder’s Hawks are expected to take a structured approach, using their trademark pick-and-roll game led by Trae Young. Atlanta will likely focus on exploiting mismatches through movement and spacing while also emphasizing defensive switching and transition efficiency. Both coaches are expected to use the game for experimentation, focusing on chemistry rather than the scoreline.

The press coverage leading up to the game has largely favored the Hawks, with analysts highlighting Memphis’ injury problems and lack of frontcourt depth. Many previews suggest that Atlanta’s continuity and offensive firepower give them the edge, especially against a Grizzlies team missing its stars. Reporters have also noted that preseason contests like this often serve as a proving ground for younger players and new acquisitions, rather than a preview of regular-season intensity. Nonetheless, the storyline surrounding Iisalo’s debut preseason campaign and how his system holds up against a strong offensive team like Atlanta has attracted plenty of attention.

In studio discussions, analysts have focused on how Atlanta’s supporting cast performs around Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. They have pointed to players like Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porziņģis as key figures to watch in the Hawks’ rotation. For Memphis, much of the pre-game talk has centered on how Iisalo manages his depleted roster and whether players like Jerome and Caldwell-Pope can provide leadership in Morant’s absence. Studio commentators have also discussed the strategic battle between Snyder’s offensive discipline and Iisalo’s pace-oriented system. Most predictions favor Atlanta to come out on top, but the broader focus remains on player development and how both teams adapt ahead of the regular season tip-off.

Watch and Download Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies – Saturday 11 October, 2025, NBA Full Game and Highlights Replay 2025-2026 – Preseason

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