Karim López Embraces Competition as Grizzlies Rookie Adjusts to NBA Schedule

Karim López was a plus-10 off the bench Friday night in Chicago, where the Memphis Grizzlies held on against the Chicago Bulls, 104-100, for their second preseason win. Grind City Media reported the plus-minus.

It was the rookie's third game in five nights.

Memphis opened the preseason Oct. 5 in Atlanta and hosted the Orlando Magic on Oct. 7 before making the trip to Chicago.

Competition runs through the whole roster in López's view, and he called that special to see.

"It's about staying ready," López told Grind City Media. "You never know when you're coming in. You've got to stay ready. As soon as you get in the court, you don't have time to play around. You've got to go and make an impact and help the team."

In the opener against the Atlanta Hawks, López came off the bench and played eight minutes in a 132-123 win.

He had two points on 1-of-2 shooting, one rebound, two steals, and one block.

That was his first game action since July.

A hamstring strain suffered during the predraft process limited López to one Summer League appearance, on July 16. He went scoreless in 11 minutes but had four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal while finishing plus-12.

Getting ready for the season is the point of this stretch for López.

"It's crazy. I've never played — I don't think I've played three games in a week ever, but it's the NBA, right?" López explained.

"So you've got to get adjusted to it," López continued. "You've got to get ready for the season. It's a bit crazy, but the NBA would be the dream, so I'm happy to be here."

Before the draft, López played 58 games over two seasons for the New Zealand Breakers of Australia's National Basketball League and averaged 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

No younger player in NBL history has recorded a double-double.

Detroit drafted López 21st overall. Memphis acquired his rights from the Pistons on June 24 and signed him July 29.

Born in Mexico, he is 19 and listed at 6-foot-8.

Memphis led 60-50 at halftime and by as many as 14 points in the first half.

With 55 seconds left, Caleb Wilson's 3-pointer cut the lead to 102-100. Chicago missed its next look at a go-ahead 3 before Javon Small made both free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining.

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo singled out a late switch between Jahmai Mashack and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, followed by Prosper's contest without fouling.

Prosper was on a two-way contract until March 4, when Memphis gave him a standard two-year deal.

For López, the group on the floor late was a connected one.

"I think it's about communication, just staying together," López said. "We're a very tight group, so that helps, and then just being on the same page, and I think that it worked out pretty well at the end."

Memphis turned the ball over 21 times and finished with 25 assists. Chicago shot 37.5% from the field.

López and the Grizzlies get a week off before their final exhibition, an Oct. 16 home game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Utah Jazz visit FedExForum on Oct. 21 for the regular-season opener, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.