Grizzlies use compressed preseason stretch to test conditioning before a practice reset

The Grizzlies’ compressed preseason schedule was a deliberate test of their conditioning and chemistry, coach Tuomas Iisalo explained in an October 12 report on Memphis’ official website. With that stretch finished, the team is using a longer practice window to evaluate its progress and work on defensive coordination.

Memphis played its first three exhibitions over five nights in three cities. The team’s report connects that workload to the demanding rhythm it expects when the regular season begins, rather than treating the exhibition results as the main measure of success.

A planned test, then time to reset

Iisalo said the games were scheduled to develop different parts of the team’s play and build chemistry among groups expected to share the floor. He described the weekend afterward as time for evaluation and recovery.

Jaylen Wells said getting an early taste of that pace was useful. Jerami Grant and Scotty Pippen Jr. described players still learning the system and adjusting to different roles and minutes.

Defense remains the teaching point

Iisalo praised the ball movement and spacing in two of the three games, but identified rim protection, defensive rotations and rebounding as areas needing work. His concern was getting all five defenders moving together when an opponent beats the first defender.

The coach also cautioned against trying to squeeze too much tactical material into the practice window. The aim, he said, was to keep making incremental progress. These are his preseason priorities, not a claim that Memphis has settled its rotation or fixed its defense.

Edey works on game conditioning

The official report also described Zach Edey building up his conditioning after returning to exhibition play. Edey said his movement felt good and that his wind had improved from one game to the next. His comments describe how he felt at that point, not a new medical clearance or a guarantee of future availability.