Overview
- Boston beat the shorthanded Grizzlies 121-103 in Memphis, with Jaylen Brown scoring 21 in 20 minutes and Derrick White adding 16 points and 10 assists.
- After saying to read "zero" into preseason choices, Mazzulla started Brown, White, Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman.
- Newcomers made early cases for roles: Luka Garza posted 10 points and 10 rebounds, rookie Hugo Gonzalez had 8 points with 3 blocks, and Josh Minott contributed 8 points, 7 rebounds and active defense.
- Availability shaped the night as Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons and Neemias Queta sat, Jordan Walsh left with left adductor tightness, and Tatum remained out in Achilles rehab.
- Boston pushed the pace for 13 steals, 10 blocks and 34 points off turnovers, though three-point shooting lagged at 28.3% and defensive rebounding surfaced as a concern; next up is Toronto on Friday.