Memphis Grizzlies vs Atlanta Hawks: A First Look at Two Reworked Rosters

The opening preseason meeting between Memphis and Atlanta is less about establishing a record and more about seeing how two substantially reshaped groups begin to fit together. Memphis arrives with a new-look rotation built around young talent, including 2026 No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer, while Atlanta enters its preseason opener with Jalen Johnson at the center of its offensive identity. The Grizzlies are also beginning a new chapter without Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., placing greater responsibility on a broader collection of ball-handlers and forwards. Atlanta, meanwhile, has added defensive-minded pieces around Johnson, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and Luguentz Dort, although Dort is unavailable for this matchup. The result is an exhibition where lineup combinations and individual roles carry more significance than the final result. The main question is how quickly each coaching staff can turn its offseason changes into recognizable basketball.

Memphis has particular interest in seeing Cameron Boozer operate against NBA-level size and defensive pressure in his first preseason appearance. The rookie gives the Grizzlies another versatile frontcourt option and can contribute as a scorer, rebounder and connective passer rather than functioning only as a traditional interior player. Ty Jerome is also competing for an important role in the backcourt, while the starting group gives Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells opportunities to establish themselves on the wings. Zach Edey’s absence changes the center rotation, with Quinten Post starting and Isaiah Stewart among the players available to absorb frontcourt minutes. Atlanta’s first unit features rookie Kingston Flemings alongside Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. That combination puts considerable emphasis on perimeter defense, transition opportunities and Johnson’s ability to create advantages from the forward position.

The tactical contrast is especially interesting because Atlanta has publicly emphasized pressure defense and transition while also targeting a high volume of three-point attempts. Memphis can challenge that approach by using size and multiple ball-handlers to attack mismatches rather than relying on one dominant creator. The Hawks will have to decide how aggressively to pressure the ball without opening driving lanes for Boozer, Jerome and the Grizzlies’ wings. At the other end, Atlanta’s length across the perimeter gives Daniels and Alexander-Walker the tools to disrupt Memphis’ early offensive rhythm. With preseason minutes normally distributed carefully, the second unit could become just as informative as the opening group. Coaches are likely to be evaluating spacing, defensive communication, rebounding responsibilities and which combinations deserve another extended look later in October.

The pregame conversation around Atlanta has centered on the number of new pieces competing for defined roles, particularly with Flemings receiving the starting point-guard assignment because CJ McCollum is unavailable. Memphis has attracted similar attention because Boozer is making his preseason debut while the organization works through a significant roster transition. Local and national previews have also highlighted the opportunity for Atlanta’s young forwards and Memphis’ new additions to gain meaningful evaluation time during the exhibition schedule. Neither side needs to treat this as a regular-season game, but both have a clear reason to value the minutes: rotations have to be settled before the games begin to count. For viewers, the most revealing part of the matchup is therefore not a prediction but which players look comfortable within the structures their teams are trying to establish.

🚑 Availability Watch: Memphis and Atlanta

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies — Injury Report
Category	Player	Injury / Status
Out / Ruled Out	Zach Edey	Ankle — ruled out for the preseason opener
Questionable	Micah Peavy	Ankle — questionable
Questionable	Karim Lopez	Undisclosed — questionable

Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks — Injury Report
Category	Player	Injury / Status
Long-Term / IR	Henri Veesaar	Torn right ACL — expected to miss the 2026-27 season
Out / Ruled Out	Luguentz Dort	Right knee contusion — will not play
Out / Ruled Out	CJ McCollum	Nose contusion — will not play
Questionable	Mouhamed Gueye	Foot — questionable

📋 Named Fives and the Players Shaping the Match

Memphis Grizzlies — Confirmed Starting Group

Memphis Grizzlies — Starting Five
Position	Player	Role
PG	Ty Jerome	Lead guard
SG	Cedric Coward	Wing
SF	Jaylen Wells	Two-way wing
PF	Cameron Boozer	Versatile forward
C	Quinten Post	Starting center

Atlanta Hawks — Confirmed Starting Group

Atlanta Hawks — Starting Five
Position	Player	Role
PG	Kingston Flemings	Lead guard
SG	Nickeil Alexander-Walker	Scoring wing
SF	Dyson Daniels	Defensive initiator
PF	Jalen Johnson	Primary creator
C	Onyeka Okongwu	Starting center

⭐ Matchup Details Worth Tracking

• Cameron Boozer’s first preseason test: The No. 3 pick enters his first exhibition game as one of Memphis’ most closely watched young players.
• Atlanta’s perimeter defense: Daniels and Alexander-Walker give the Hawks length and defensive activity around Johnson.
• The center rotation: Edey’s absence leaves Quinten Post in the starting role and creates additional frontcourt opportunities.
• Kingston Flemings’ opportunity: The No. 8 pick starts at point guard with McCollum unavailable, giving the rookie an immediate chance to run the first unit.
• Preseason evaluation: With regular-season standings not yet in play, role definition, spacing, defensive communication and rotation combinations are the most meaningful indicators.

📰 What the Pregame Coverage Was Watching

Pregame coverage in Memphis focused heavily on Cameron Boozer’s preseason debut and how the rookie would look against NBA competition. Atlanta coverage, meanwhile, emphasized the Hawks’ first opportunity to test a revamped roster and highlighted the team’s young forwards and new perimeter pieces. The Hawks’ preseason outlook has also stressed their defensive identity, with NBA.com noting Atlanta’s emphasis on forcing turnovers and turning those defensive plays into transition offense. Another recurring theme was the unusually large number of players competing for meaningful rotation roles, making the exhibition schedule important for determining how those pieces fit together. With McCollum and Dort unavailable, Atlanta’s opening lineup also offered an early look at Flemings alongside Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Johnson and Okongwu. On the Memphis side, Edey’s absence shifted attention toward Post and Stewart while giving Boozer a larger share of the frontcourt spotlight.

Variation rule used for this article: This preview deliberately begins with roster transformation and role definition rather than the date, venue or conventional game-day introduction, and the central section is organized around the tactical contrast between Atlanta’s perimeter pressure and Memphis’ developing multi-player attack.

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