The Grizzlies vs Thunder matchup on Friday, Nov. 6 gives two 6-2 teams an early-season measuring stick at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CST, and it is the first of four meetings between Memphis and Oklahoma City in the 2026-2027 season.
A rematch with recent history
The Thunder had the upper hand last season, sweeping the season series 4-0. Oklahoma City also finished 64-18 and reached the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs. That background makes this trip to Memphis more than a routine regular-season game, even if it comes early in the year.
For the Grizzlies, the game is part of a season built around a young core and Ty Jerome, who is running the show after roster changes. That makes this a useful test for Memphis against a team that has already shown it can control the matchup.
What changed for Oklahoma City
The Thunder enter with a different-looking roster after a busy offseason. They drafted Aday Mara with the 12th pick and Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They also traded Lugentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons, while re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams and giving Cason Wallace a contract extension.
Even with those moves, the Thunder remain a familiar problem for Memphis. The previous season series showed how well Oklahoma City could handle the Grizzlies, and Friday's game will offer the first chance this season to see whether that edge continues.
For both teams, the bigger picture is still unfolding. But with matching 6-2 records and a recent sweep in the background, this one already carries more weight than a typical November game.
