The 2010–11 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 16th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the tenth for the franchise in Memphis. The 2010–11 Memphis Grizzlies season marked their first playoff appearance since 2006. This season also marked their first playoff win in a series let alone playoff game by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in 6 games.
June 24, 2010 – The 2010 NBA draft was held in New York City.
July 1, 2010 – The free agency period began.
February 8, 2011 – Tony Allen was inserted into the starting lineup in a game against Oklahoma City, in place of an injured Rudy Gay and suspended O.J. Mayo. Allen produced 27 points, five steals and three blocks while spending most of the contest guarding Kevin Durant and in a postgame interview, coined the phrase "Grit. Grind." that became part of Memphis' team identity going forward.
February 24, 2011 – The Grizzlies trade Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and a future first-round draft pick to the Houston Rockets for Shane Battier and Ishmael Smith. An attempted trade of O. J. Mayo to the Indiana Pacers for Josh McRoberts and a 2011 first-round draft pick did not make the trade deadline.
April 8, 2011 – The Grizzlies clinch a playoff berth after a victory over the Sacramento Kings.
At the end of the season:
As of April 7.
* – Stats with the Grizzlies.
Memphis won their first playoff series, first playoff game, and became only the second #8 seed team to defeat a #1 seed in a best of seven Playoff Series in the history of the NBA by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in six games.
Zach Randolph was named to the All-NBA Third Team. It was his first All-NBA selection.
Tony Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. It was his first All-Defensive selection.
The Grizzlies won the first playoff game in franchise history with a victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game 1 of their first round series.
The Grizzlies won the first home playoff game in franchise history with a victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game 3 of their first round series.
The Grizzlies won the first playoff series in franchise history with a victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game 6 of their first round series. It was also only the fourth time in NBA history an eighth-seeded team defeated a first-seeded team, and only the second time in a best-of-seven series.
Injuries and surgeries
Rudy Gay suffered a dislocated left shoulder during a February 15 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Gay underwent surgery on March 25 and missed the remainder of the season.
Xavier Henry missed much of the season with a knee sprain. He declined knee surgery.
