Cam Boozer’s first NBA night was messy from the field, but the Memphis Grizzlies rookie still walked out of his debut with a piece of franchise history.
Boozer scored seven points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out five assists as Memphis rolled past the Utah Jazz 123-103 in its season opener Wednesday night at FedEx Forum. The shot never really came around - he hit just 2 of 15 attempts - yet his impact showed up everywhere else, and the Grizzlies outscored Utah by 32 points during his minutes. According to StatMuse, that plus-32 is the best plus-minus by any player in a season opener in Grizzlies franchise history.
For the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it was an opening statement built on everything except scoring. Boozer, who came in from Duke with the reputation of a polished, versatile forward, was active on the glass and steady enough to keep affecting the game even when his jumper wouldn’t cooperate.
He also went 3 of 4 at the line, and Memphis used its rebounding edge to open up a 13-point halftime lead. By the break, Boozer had only four points, but he was still finding ways to matter.
Ty Jerome made sure the Grizzlies’ first game of the season never tilted back the other way. He put up 45 points on 17-of-25 shooting, adding seven rebounds and six assists, and took over after halftime with floaters, threes and strong drives to the rim. Jerami Grant and GG Jackson chipped in from deep off the bench, giving Memphis more breathing room.
Utah also got a debut from one of the night’s headline rookies. Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick, finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists. Ace Bailey added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
The Jazz had scoring of their own, with Keyonte George leading the way with 22 points and five assists and Lauri Markkanen adding 18 points and nine rebounds. But once Jerome found his rhythm, Utah couldn’t keep up.
Boozer’s debut offered exactly the kind of early glimpse Memphis wanted: the points will come, but the rebounding and passing are already there. The Grizzlies are back in action Friday against the Golden State Warriors.
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Grizzlies May Have Found Two Opening Night Difference Makers
The Grizzlies got a clean opening-night win over Utah, and the most encouraging part was how quickly two newcomers fit into the shape of the game. Memphis rolled to a 123-103 victory in its season opener, with Jerami Grant adding 15 points in his debut and the overall rotation looking more settled than you might expect this early in the year.
Ty Jerome gave the offense an immediate jolt in his first game running the show, while Zach Edey made his presence felt in the less glamorous areas that often decide whether Memphis can control a night. Jerome's scoring burst and Edey's work on the interior helped tilt the game in the Grizzlies' favor, and if those two can keep bringing that kind of impact, Memphis may have already found a pair of useful opening-night answers. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Fans Shouldnt Ignore Walter Clayton Jrs Next Opportunity
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Claytons next stop, though, gives this a little more staying power for Grizzlies fans than a routine waiver line usually would. He landed with Dallas on a two-way contract, opening a new lane to keep his NBA path moving even after Memphis moved on, while the Mavericks had to clear room by parting with veteran center Dwight Powell, a move that even drew public comments from Kyrie Irving about Powells contributions to the team. For the Grizzlies, it is a reminder that the back end of the roster can still send players into situations worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]
Ty Jerome Just Gave A Top Rookie A Brutal NBA Welcome
Darryn Petersons NBA debut came in a tough setting at FedExForum, where the rookie guard got his first taste of the league against a Memphis group that wasted no time turning the night into a lesson. Peterson still managed to get on the board with nine points, along with four rebounds and three assists, but the bigger story quickly became Ty Jeromes takeover for the Grizzlies as the home crowd watched the game swing sharply in Memphis favor.
Jerome put together the kind of performance that can overwhelm even a promising newcomer, powering the Grizzlies to a 123-103 win and drawing plenty of reaction from the fans along the way. For Memphis, it was another reminder of how quickly a game can get away from an opponent when one player catches fire, and for Peterson, it was a first NBA night that came with a clear introduction to just how demanding this level can be. [Read more 🡒]