The Memphis Grizzlies opened the season with more than just a win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. They also got exactly the kind of wing production that can make a roster feel balanced fast.
Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, and Jerami Grant did a little of everything in the victory, combining for 39 points, 15 boards, five threes, four steals, and two blocks while shooting better than 50% from the field. That blend of efficiency and activity gave Memphis value well beyond the box score and helped set the tone for the night.
Wells was the choice to start alongside Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Cam Boozer, and Zach Edey, and that decision paid off. Among Wells, Jackson, and Grant, he brings the most defensive upside on the perimeter, and he can also stretch the floor at times. Against Utah, he handled a dangerous perimeter team with solid defense and smart shooting decisions, finishing with 12 points.
His biggest impact came in the areas that don’t always show up first. Wells grabbed five rebounds and came away with four steals, helping Memphis gain possession control and seize command early. If he can keep giving the Grizzlies that kind of rebound-and-defend production, his value rises well beyond scoring.
Jackson offered a different kind of boost off the bench. At 21 and in a contract year, he enters the 2026-2027 season as one of the more interesting players on Memphis’ roster, and Wednesday showed why. He scored 12 points on 50% shooting, hit two threes, finished a drive at the rim, and tipped in a miss, showing off the variety in his offensive game.
But Jackson’s best work came on the glass and at the rim on defense. He finished with eight rebounds and two blocks, using his size and athleticism in a way Memphis can really build on.
His rebounding has long been one of his stronger traits, and if that holds, it gives the Grizzlies another useful piece alongside Coward, Boozer, and Edey. His defensive growth may be the bigger swing factor, though, especially if he keeps developing as a playmaker on that end and stays committed to taking on POA assignments.
Grant’s role came into focus right away too. Acquired this offseason in the Ja Morant trade, he was expected to bring veteran leadership and shooting, and the setup around Memphis suggested a reserve role made sense.
That is the lane the Grizzlies chose on Wednesday, and it worked. Grant poured in 13 first-half points off the bench, giving Memphis a scoring jolt that swung momentum alongside Jerome.
That kind of bench shooting matters for this group, especially when offense stalls or when Jerome or Boozer are out of the game. With Grant and Cam Spencer available, Memphis has another layer of reliability in both the backcourt and front court when it needs points.
The night as a whole gave the Grizzlies a clear early-season formula from their wings. If Wells, Jackson, and Grant can keep stacking nights like this - around 30-plus points, 10-plus boards, and defensive disruption - Memphis has a real chance to outperform expectations. For Wells and Jackson in particular, that kind of production could be the start of real breakout seasons.
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Kristaps Porzingis situation has put Golden State in a delicate spot, and Memphis has surfaced as one of the teams that could get pulled into the conversation. The Warriors are weighing a few different paths with the veteran big man, including the possibility of moving on from him entirely, while the Grizzlies fit the profile of a team that can absorb risk thanks to their rebuilding timeline and some contract flexibility.
For Memphis, the appeal is clear enough: a player of Porzingis talent would be worth exploring if the price is right, even with the uncertainty surrounding his availability. For Golden State, the challenge is finding the right return while navigating a decision tree that could include waiving him, keeping him on the books, or finding a trade partner willing to take the gamble when the timing allows. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Face Early Statement Game In A Brutal Road Spot
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