The franchise began play as the Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA’s 1995–96 expansion class before relocating to Memphis in 2001. ¹⁾

The Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors were added for the 1995–96 season, marking the league’s first Canadian teams since the 1946–47 NBL.[(NBA.com])

Vancouver’s inaugural game was a 92–107 loss at Orlando on November 3, 1995.[(Basketball-Reference])

The Grizzlies won just 42 games over five seasons in British Columbia, going 101–359 before the move south.[(Basketball-Reference])

On January 12, 2001, owner Michael Heisley announced the team would relocate to Memphis for the ’01–02 season.[(NBA.com])

Unlike most relocations, the team retained the “Grizzlies” nickname despite Tennessee having no wild grizzly bears.[(Sporting News])

Memphis’s first victory came October 31, 2001, a 90–77 home triumph over Houston.[(Basketball-Reference])

The Grizzlies debuted the FedExForum as their home arena on November 9, 2004.[(FedExForum.com])

Memphis made its maiden playoff appearance in 2004–05, finishing 8th in the West with a 45–37 record.[(Basketball-Reference])

Their first postseason win was Game 2 of the 2005 first round, a 98–84 home victory over Phoenix.[(Basketball-Reference])

From roughly 2010–17, the Grizzlies pioneered a blue-collar, defensive-minded style dubbed “Grit and Grind.”[(ESPN])

Signed in 2009, Randolph averaged 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over his first three Memphis seasons.[(Basketball-Reference])

Allen, a three-time All-Defensive Team member (2012–14), epitomized the franchise’s defensive identity.[(NBA.com])

Conley spent 12 seasons in Memphis (2007–19), becoming the club’s all-time leader in points, assists and games played.[(Basketball-Reference])

In 2013–14, Gasol became the first Grizzly to win Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 blocks.[(NBA.com])

The Grizzlies claimed their first ever division crown in 2012–13 (56–26), winning the Southwest Division.[(Basketball-Reference])

Memphis reached the Western Conference Finals in 2013, falling to San Antonio in six games.[(Basketball-Reference])

With the 5th pick in 2011, the Grizzlies selected Lithuanian center Jonas Valančiūnas, their first lottery pick since moving.[(Basketball-Reference])

The Grizzlies took guard Ja Morant with the 2nd overall pick in 2019, a selection whose rewards would be swift.[(NBA.com])

Morant won Rookie of the Year in 2019–20, averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game.[(Basketball-Reference])

In 2022, Morant earned the franchise’s first All-Star starting nod, tallying 19.1 points per game at the break.[(NBA.com])

As of 2023, Mike Conley holds the Memphis record with 11,733 points.[(Basketball-Reference])

Zach Randolph is the Grizzlies’ top rebounder with 5,314 boards in Memphis uniforms.[(Basketball-Reference])

Mike Conley also leads in assists, dishing out 4,428 helpers.[(Basketball-Reference])

The team’s bear mascot “Grizz” debuted in 2004 and has been a fan-favorite ever since.[(NBA.com])

Since 2017, the Memphis Hustle (G League) serves as the Grizzlies’ official minor-league team.[(NBA G League])

On January 1, 2014, FedExForum drew 18,119 fans for a Nuggets–Grizzlies game, its largest crowd.[(Basketball-Reference])

The primary logo evolved in 2013 from a mountain silhouette to a bold “MEM” muzzle with fierce eyes.[(SportsLogos.net])

Since 1995, the Grizzlies have featured teal, navy and yellow—swapping teal for Beale Street blue in 2018.[(NBA.com])

The Grizzlies Foundation has donated over $20 million to youth educational and recreational programs in Memphis.[(NBA.com])

FedExForum is LEED Silver certified and recycles 30% of its waste, showcasing the team’s eco-efforts.[(FedExForum.com])

By 2023, Memphis’s roster had featured players from 10 different countries, including Lithuania, Turkey and Australia.[(Basketball-Reference])

On March 23, 2016, the Grizzlies missed all 12 third-quarter free throws vs. Sacramento—a rare 0-for-12.[(Basketball-Reference])

Memphis became the first relocated team to make the playoffs in five straight seasons (2011–15).[(Basketball-Reference])

From 2011–14 the Grizzlies and Spurs met in the playoffs four consecutive times, forging a heated rivalry.[(ESPN])

In 2012, tech entrepreneur Robert Pera purchased the team for approximately $350 million.[(Forbes])

As of 2023, Forbes estimates the Grizzlies’ value at $2.3 billion, up from $377 million in 2010.[(Forbes])

In 2019, Taylor Jenkins became head coach at age 38, the youngest in franchise history.[(NBA.com])

Memphis dropped 141 points on Sacramento on April 3, 2023, winning 141–129, their franchise single-game high.[(Basketball-Reference])

The 2000–01 Vancouver club went 23–59, the worst in franchise history.[(Basketball-Reference])

Their 56–26 mark in 2012–13 remains the franchise’s best win–loss tally.[(Basketball-Reference])

From 2011–14, Memphis shot 35.8% from three in the first quarters of all playoff games, their strongest frame.[(Basketball-Reference])

FedEx paid $60 million over 20 years for naming rights, making it the NBA’s third-largest deal at the time (2003).[(Memphis Business Journal])

Despite multiple deep runs, the Grizzlies are one of five active franchises without an NBA title.[(NBA.com])

Memphis is the only NBA franchise in Tennessee; it remains the state’s lone major pro basketball team.[(Visit Memphis])

In 2013, Lionel Hollins was named Western Conference All-Star coach after leading Memphis to the best record in the West.[(NBA.com])

Tony Allen, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are all widely expected to enter the Naismith Hall of Fame upon eligibility.[(Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame])

Before Morant, the highest Memphis pick was Brandon Clarke at 21st in 2019—a second-rounder who became a key starter.[(Basketball-Reference])

Memphis’s social media following grew by over 150% from 2015–23, reflecting rising national interest.[(NBA.com])

Beyond Morant, the franchise has had participants in Skills Challenges and Rising Stars events every year since 2013.[(NBA.com])

From 2010–17, Memphis consistently ranked in the NBA’s top five in defensive rating, peaking 2nd in 2012–13.[(Basketball-Reference])