On Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks played their preseason opener at FedEx Forum. The up-and-coming Grizzlies would try to impress against the defending NBA Champions.

It would be an interesting evening in Memphis.

The Bucks would be without Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on Tuesday as he was nursing a knee injury.

"I'm good to go," Antetokounmpo said Monday. "But if I feel like I'm in pain again or whatever the case might be, I have to listen to my body. When you feel pain, it's your body telling you that it's protecting you, that you can't go anymore. I've played through pain. I don't think now is the time to risk that. It's too early in the season."

With Antetokounmpo on the bench, other Bucks players had a chance to impress against the young Grizzlies.

First Half

The young Grizzlies came out aggressive in this one. They wanted to put on a show against the defending NBA Champions. They would get out to a great start, outsourcing the Bucks 35-23 in the first quarter. The Bucks took the second quarter 24-20 but trailed 55-47 at the break.

The Grizzlies shot 44% from the field in the first half and 35.3% from the 3-point range. Much better than the Bucks 36.5% from the field and 20.8% from deep.

They also held a slight rebound advantage over the Bucks at the half, 28-27. On defense, the Grizzlies made an impact by blocking seven shots.

Ja Morant was determined to put on a show. In the first half, Morant scored 15 points and dished out 3 assists. He was flying all over the court, delivering highlight-reel dunks that fans have come to expect from him. Great first-half performance for the third-year point guard.

New Grizzlie Steven Adams added 7 points and 6 rebounds in his first action on Beale Street.

The Bucks were led by former Louisville Cardinal Jordan Nwora in the first half. Nwora scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.

Sound the Alarm

After the break, the two teams played another tight quarter of basketball. The Grizzlies outscored the Bucks 32-30 and extended their lead to 87-77 going into the fourth.

After a tight third, a fire alarm went off inside FedEx Forum and the arena was evacuated. After a near-hour delay, the NBA decided to end the game. 

"With the lengthy delay, the league, in consultation with the Bucks and the Grizzlies, has determined not to complete the game in the interest of player safety," the NBA announced.

The delay was lengthy and it was unsure if the teams would retake the court for the fourth quarter.

"A very unique experience tonight," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "No one could have foreshadowed that that would have happened. Great collaboration between both teams and the league. A lot of dialogue. And it was definitely unique."

With the game ending after the third, the Grizzlies beat the defending NBA Champion Bucks 87-77.

Morant scored 12 points in the third quarter to finish the game with 27. He also had 4 assists and 6 rebounds.

Adams finished with a double-double in just three-quarters of play. As he scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Nwora led the way for the Bucks with 16 points. Former Grizzlie Grayson Allen scored 13 points in the preseason loss for the Bucks.

What's Next?

The Grizzlies will go on the road to play the Hornets in Charlotte.

The Bucks will stay on the road as they will take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Friday.