Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls: Two Top-Four Picks Bring a Fresh Rivalry to Chicago

NBA Preseason | October 9, 2026 | United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Youth, Size and the Fight for Rotation Minutes

Chicago’s preseason preparations offered an intriguing subplot: another meeting between Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, the third and fourth selections in the 2026 NBA Draft. Their college rivalry has carried into the professional game, giving this exhibition an individual matchup worth watching without overshadowing the larger task facing both teams. Chicago entered the contest after defeating Phoenix in its preseason opener, while Memphis was looking to build consistency through a busier early schedule. Neither side needed a statement result as much as useful evidence that its new combinations could function under game conditions.

The most obvious tactical challenge for Chicago is inside. Zach Edey’s size gives Memphis a substantial screening and rebounding presence, and the Grizzlies can use him to create space for cutters and perimeter shooters. With several Bulls frontcourt players reported unavailable, Chicago’s remaining big men and two-way options faced an opportunity to demonstrate that they could compete on the glass and protect the paint. Jalen Smith’s mobility and Tobe Awaka’s rebounding energy offered different ways to approach that problem, while Matas Buzelis could be important in defending Memphis’s versatile forwards.

Memphis, meanwhile, has more to assess than its interior advantage. Boozer’s early preseason performances had already attracted attention, and Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells gave the team additional young perimeter talent to evaluate. Ty Jerome’s reported starting role provided another ball-handler to organize possessions and connect the guards with Edey. For Chicago, Josh Giddey’s passing, Norman Powell’s scoring and Buzelis’s attacking instincts could help test whether the team’s new-look offense is becoming more cohesive. The quality of decisions after the first defensive rotation may be more revealing than individual scoring totals.

Before tip-off, local coverage emphasized Chicago’s evolving identity under Tiago Splitter, the developing competition between Boozer and Wilson, and the opportunity for Memphis’s young roster to build on its earlier performances. The injury list also influenced the likely rotations, particularly in Chicago’s frontcourt. The key questions were straightforward: could the Bulls keep Edey away from easy second chances, could their guards create efficient offense against Memphis’s length, and which younger players would make the most of their preseason minutes? Those are meaningful evaluation points, even when the final result carries no regular-season consequences.

🚨 Pregame Injury and Availability Report

These entries reflect game-day injury reporting, rather than a fully verified official NBA injury report. Only players explicitly reported out are classified as ruled out below. No long-term designation is added without evidence that the absence meets that description.

Memphis Grizzlies

Micah Peavy’s status was inconsistent across pregame reports: one report listed him out with an ankle injury, while another listed him available. He is therefore not assigned a definitive status here.

Chicago Bulls

📋 Reported Starting Fives and Key Personnel

The names below are the projected starters published before the game. They should not be interpreted as independently confirmed official starting lineups.

Four Matchup Details Worth Watching

• Whether Chicago can limit Edey’s offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities.
• How Boozer and Wilson handle their next meeting after competing in college and summer basketball.
• Whether Giddey’s passing helps Chicago create efficient shots against Memphis’s length.
• Which young players earn more responsibility through defensive effort and disciplined decisions.

The Pregame Conversation

Game-day coverage from Memphis Grizzlies On SI and Bleacher Nation centered on the rookie duel, the Bulls’ evolving identity under Tiago Splitter, and the challenge of containing Edey without their full frontcourt rotation. Memphis had already seen encouraging early production from Boozer, while Chicago wanted to build on its first preseason outing. Those storylines made the contest an opportunity to examine roster development and tactical fit rather than draw conclusions from a single exhibition.