Darryn Peterson’s NBA debut didn’t come with the soft landing plenty of people probably imagined.
The Utah Jazz rookie, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, stepped onto an NBA floor Wednesday with the usual buzz that comes with a first night in the league. Family and friends were there to see the moment. Then Ty Jerome turned the evening into something very different.
Jerome, the Memphis Grizzlies guard, went off for a career-high 45 points and powered a 123-103 win over the Jazz at FedExForum. He added seven rebounds and six assists, and did most of his damage in ruthless fashion, hitting 17 of 25 shots from the field and 5 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Peterson was left trying to keep up. The 19-year-old finished with nine points on 3-of-7 shooting, along with four rebounds and three assists.
That lopsided matchup instantly became internet material, with fans leaning into the same “welcome to the NBA” joke over and over after Jerome’s eruption.
“Darryn Peterson's gonna be on a podcast in eight years talking about Ty Jerome as his welcome-to-the-league moment,” said @stillreggie_.
“(Jerome) gave Darryn Peterson a warm welcome to the league, LMAO,” added @EB3TV_.
“In 10 years, they're gonna ask Darryn Peterson what was his welcome-to-the-NBA moment, and this would be his answer,” echoed @Love4ADolla.
“A year and a half from now, one of these NBA player podcasts will ask Darryn Peterson what his welcome-to-the-league moment was, and watch him say ‘Ty Jerome dropped 45 on opening night,'” wrote @kikuua.
“Darryn Peterson's welcome-to-the-NBA moment being Ty Jerome is gonna be a funny story to tell,” commented @AaronSpencer__.
It is a lot less funny from Peterson’s side right now, but the lesson will come fast in the NBA. The Jazz get back on the floor Friday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
In Other News...
Cam Boozer's Grizzlies Debut Raised A Bigger Question Than His Shot
Cam Boozers first night in a Grizzlies uniform came in a comfortable 123-103 win over the Jazz, and the box score hinted at the sort of all-around impact Memphis hoped to see from him. He chipped in seven points, 11 rebounds and five assists in his NBA debut, while Ty Jeromes 45-point outburst powered the offense and helped keep the game firmly in hand.
The shot was the obvious blemish, with Boozer going 2-of-15 from the field, but his value showed up in the larger flow of the game. Even with that rough scoring line, he finished with a plus-32, the kind of mark that says plenty about how the minutes went when he was on the floor and why Memphis has reason to keep paying attention to what he can do beyond making baskets. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]