A lot of future implications were riding on the result of the Memphis Grizzlies’ matchup with the Utah Jazz on April 10 at Delta Center.
Memphis and Utah entered the game with the sixth- and fourth-best odds, respectively, to land the No. 1 overall pick. A win would have significantly lowered those chances.
Instead, the Grizzlies played just six of their eight available players and were overwhelmed in a 147-101 blowout loss.
Of the six players who saw the floor for Memphis, four were on 10-day contracts and two were on two-way deals. None began the season on the Grizzlies’ roster.
Even with a depleted roster, Utah still featured multiple former first-round picks, including rookie Ace Bailey.
Here’s how the Grizzlies’ draft lottery outlook stands after the loss:
Grizzlies' GG Jackson (45) reacts after making a 3-pointer during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) smiles as he talks to teammates in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Raptors' forward Scottie Barnes (4) goes for a layup as Grizzlies’ Rayan Rupert (32) tries to block him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) watch from the bench during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies’ Rayan Rupert (32) and Adama Bal (72) try to box out Raptors' Jakob Poeltl (19) after a free throw during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' head coach Tuomas Iisalo speaks with Rayan Rupert (32) during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' guard Ja Morant (12), Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) and Walter Clayton Jr. (4) talk on the bench during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' Jahmai Mashack shoots the ball as Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles (12) and Ja'kobe Walter (14) try to block him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' Cam Spencer (24) talks to Santi Aldama (7) in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) talks to Santi Aldama (7) in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) shoots the ball as Grizzlies' GG Jackson (45) guards him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' GG Jackson (45) grabs a rebound during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Rapper GloRilla smiles while sitting courtside during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies' head coach Tuomas Iisalo looks up at the scoreboard during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.1 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' GG Jackson (45) reacts after making a 3-pointer during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.1 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' GG Jackson (45) reacts after making a 3-pointer during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.2 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' Ja Morant (12) smiles as he talks to teammates in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.3 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsRaptors' forward Scottie Barnes (4) goes for a layup as Grizzlies’ Rayan Rupert (32) tries to block him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.4 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' Ja Morant (12) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) watch from the bench during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.5 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies’ Rayan Rupert (32) and Adama Bal (72) try to box out Raptors' Jakob Poeltl (19) after a free throw during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.6 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' head coach Tuomas Iisalo speaks with Rayan Rupert (32) during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.7 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' guard Ja Morant (12), Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) and Walter Clayton Jr. (4) talk on the bench during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.8 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' Jahmai Mashack shoots the ball as Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles (12) and Ja'kobe Walter (14) try to block him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.9 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' Cam Spencer (24) talks to Santi Aldama (7) in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.10 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' Ja Morant (12) talks to Santi Aldama (7) in a timeout during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.11 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsRaptors' RJ Barrett (9) shoots the ball as Grizzlies' GG Jackson (45) guards him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.12 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' GG Jackson (45) grabs a rebound during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.13 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsRapper GloRilla smiles while sitting courtside during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.14 / 14See our best photos from Grizzlies vs RaptorsGrizzlies' head coach Tuomas Iisalo looks up at the scoreboard during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 3, 2026.Grizzlies 2026 NBA Draft standings updateMemphis remains tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the sixth-best odds to land the No. 1 pick after Dallas also lost, falling to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Grizzlies (25-56) and Mavericks hold identical odds of jumping into the top four. If both teams lose their season finales, a coin-flip tiebreaker will determine which team is slotted sixth or seventh. That result will not affect their lottery probabilities.
Memphis also has a second first-round pick to monitor. That selection will come from either the Phoenix Suns or Orlando Magic.
The Grizzlies own Orlando’s 2026 first-round pick but retain the right to swap if Phoenix’s pick lands higher.
After the Charlotte Hornets’ loss and Orlando’s win on April 10, the Magic are locked into a top-eight spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Orlando currently sits seventh, putting it in position to have two chances to win one play-in game.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is also seventh in the Western Conference.
Memphis’ chances of entering the draft lottery with two picks are shrinking. At this point, it would likely require an unexpected finish from either Orlando or Phoenix.
Memphis will close the regular season on the road against the Houston Rockets on April 12 (7:30 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
The Mavericks, Magic, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers remain key teams to watch.
If Dallas loses, it will secure at least a tie with Memphis, assuming the Grizzlies also fall.
Orlando can climb as high as sixth in the East with a win and a Raptors loss to the Nets. A Magic loss combined with a Philadelphia win would drop Orlando to eighth.
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.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies NBA draft lottery odds unchanged after loss to Jazz