The Memphis Grizzlies opened the season with a 123-103 win over the Utah Jazz, and the biggest headline came from Ty Jerome, who looked every bit like the new engine of the offense. With Jerome and Zach Edey on the floor, Memphis looked like a different team. Without them, the gap was obvious.
Jerome set the tone immediately, scoring 7 points in the first quarter and rolling into a 19-point first half. By the end of the night, he had delivered a career-high 45 points, burying a logo three-pointer to get to 40 and putting together the kind of debut Memphis could only hope for from its new starting point guard.
That surge wasn’t just about the scoring total. Jerome changed the shape of the Grizzlies’ offense.
The ball moved cleaner, the shots came easier, and the team’s ability to generate quality looks took a clear jump when he was on the court. The contrast showed up right away when he checked out late in the first quarter, as Memphis’ bench group struggled to find good shots during that stretch.
Edey’s impact was less flashy in the box score, but it was impossible to miss. He made a major difference on defense and on the glass, giving Memphis the kind of frontcourt presence that can tilt possessions. The Grizzlies’ size up front already looks like a weapon, and Edey was a big part of that.
Jerami Grant also gave Memphis exactly what the team likely expected in his debut. He finished with 15 points on 4-for-8 shooting, and his size, shooting, and ability to fit into different lineups all showed up. He looked like a clean fit from the jump.
There were also some things to keep an eye on beyond the box score. Tuomas Iisalo’s substitutions drew attention last season in his first year as head coach, and after one game, the rotation pattern looked familiar.
For nearly the entire second half of the first quarter, none of Memphis’ starters were on the floor. Utah had Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen in the game at that point, and that was the stretch when the Jazz created their only real lead.
The matchup and substitution issues didn’t matter as much later, when Memphis built control of the game. Even so, it’s something worth watching, especially with how much better the Grizzlies are when Jerome and Edey are involved.
The bench’s biggest issue remains shot creation. GG Jackson has shown some ability to make something out of nothing, and Grant looks capable of scoring in a reserve role, but neither brings the same kind of instant offense Jerome does. Memphis improved in that area as the night went on, but the bigger sample will tell more.
On the perimeter, Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward continue to stand out as Memphis’ best defenders. Wells was everywhere to start the second half, racking up deflections, diving for loose balls, and helping turn defense into momentum as the Grizzlies pushed the lead to 22 points at the 6:51 mark.
The night carried plenty of extra weight, too. Brandon Clarke was honored before the game, Jaren Jackson Jr. returned after missing Utah’s last visit, and Cam Boozer and Darryn Peterson made their debuts as well. Between the tribute to Clarke and a lively FedExForum crowd, opening night felt like a full reset for Memphis - and the Grizzlies made sure it ended as a celebration.
In Other News...
Grizzlies Rookie Picture Gets More Complicated As One Fit Stands Out
As the Grizzlies get ready for their season opener, one of the quieter offseason additions has started to draw real attention: Cam Boozer. The Duke forward brings the kind of versatile skill set Memphis has been looking to layer onto its young core, and his fit alongside a front line led by Zach Edey gives the roster a different shape than it had a year ago. For a team trying to build something more durable around its rising pieces, that kind of positional flexibility matters.
The other rookie storyline is less straightforward. Richie, a drafted player still working back from an ACL injury, has not reached a contract agreement with Memphis yet, leaving his status unresolved as camp nears its final stretch. The gap between the sides has become its own small test for a franchise trying to manage development, financial caution and roster planning all at once. Even with the opener approaching, the rookie picture in Memphis still has one important piece hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Just Sent A Harsh Message About Walter Clayton
Walter Clayton has found a new landing spot, and it comes after a brief, uneasy stop in Memphis. The Mavericks officially signed the guard to a two-way contract, giving him a path forward after the Grizzlies waived him and other teams had reportedly been in the mix once Dallas opened a roster spot.
For Memphis, the move adds another layer to a busy stretch around Clayton, who was taken 18th overall in the 2025 NBA draft and spent time with both the Utah Jazz and Grizzlies last season. His arrival in Memphis was tied to the larger trade landscape around Jaren Jackson Jr., and now the next question is whether the Grizzlies simply moved on too quickly or if this was always headed toward a fresh start elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Guard Fans Know
Walter Clayton Jr. is back on the market after Memphis waived him ahead of the roster deadline, and that has already put a few teams on alert. The former Grizzlies guard is drawing interest around the league, with Dallas and Sacramento among the clubs keeping tabs as they look for backcourt depth and a low-risk addition.
The Mavericks are in a particularly practical position because they still have room to maneuver on a two-way deal, and Claytons next stop may come down to fit as much as opportunity. If he clears waivers, his choice could be shaped by where he sees the clearest path to minutes and development, which makes this one worth watching as the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]