Updated Oct. 9, 2026, 9:46 p.m. CT
The Memphis Grizzlieswere back on the road against the Chicago Bulls for their third preseason game.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo took a similar approach as the first two games. Memphis tried more lineup combinations and once again gave most of the roster extended playing time and opportunity.
Grizzlies rotation players controlled the first half, and that was enough to create a cushion. Chicago closed the gap in the second half, but the Grizzlies still left the United Center with a 104-100 win on Oct. 9.
A total of 18 Grizzlies players played and 16 made field goals. Jerami Grant, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Cam Boozer and Cedric Coward were among the Grizzlies players who didn’t play in the second half.
Jerome led Memphis with 16 points. Jackson added 14 points. Boozer ended the night with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in 12 minutes.
Point guard Javon Small made multiple key plays down the stretch to secure a win. He made a driving layup to give Memphis a five-point lead with 1:05 remaining, then he secured a key offensive rebound with 31 seconds left.
After a Walter Clayton Jr. turnover, the Grizzlies led 102-100 with 23.4 seconds left. A Caleb Wilson missed 3-pointer and Small free throws sealed the win for the Grizzlies.
Memphis will return to action Oct. 16 at home against the Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. CT, DAZN-MEM).
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.