The Memphis Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak Friday night, overcoming a 14-point first-half deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 123-114 at FedExForum.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper led the charge with 23 points on an efficient 10-for-16 shooting, while GG Jackson added 20 points for Memphis. The victory was a collective effort—eight of the nine Grizzlies who saw action reached double figures.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can score the ball,” Jackson said after the game. “But not only score, but we can also play defense too.”
The first half belonged to Utah. The Jazz shot 49.3% from the field and built a 67-55 halftime advantage behind strong performances from their young core. But the Grizzlies flipped the script in the third quarter.
Second-Half Surge Fuels Victory
Memphis exploded out of the break with a 21-6 run that gave them a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies’ defensive intensity ramped up, forcing Utah into difficult shots and creating transition opportunities.
Jackson’s three-pointer with 4:31 remaining pushed the lead to 16 points, effectively putting the game out of reach. The bucket capped off a dominant second half where Memphis outscored Utah 68-47.
“We locked in defensively and got stops when we needed them.”
For Utah, Isaiah Collier paced the offense with 24 points and five assists. Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey each contributed 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Memphis’s second-half dominance.
Depleted Rosters Create Opportunity
Both teams entered the contest severely undermanned. The Grizzlies were without nine players due to various injuries and ailments, forcing the head coach to dig deep into his bench. The skeleton crew responded admirably, with lesser-used players stepping up in expanded roles.
Utah faced similar challenges. Lauri Markkanen, the team’s leading scorer, was scratched just before tip-off due to illness. Recent trade acquisitions Keyonte George, Jusuf Nurkic, and former Grizzly Jaren Jackson Jr. were all sidelined with injuries.
The game provided an emotional subplot as Memphis honored Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and John Konchar—all shipped to Utah at the trade deadline—with video tributes. Jackson received his recognition at the end of the first quarter, while Williams and Konchar were celebrated during a halftime timeout.
Basement Battle With Playoff Implications
The matchup featured two teams fighting for lottery positioning rather than playoff spots. Memphis entered the night 11th in the Western Conference with a 21-33 record, while Utah sat 13th at 18-39.
The Jazz have faced scrutiny recently after the NBA fined the organization $500,000 for sitting key players during fourth quarters in games against Orlando and Miami—a move widely interpreted as tanking.
Despite the standings, both teams showcased young talent worth monitoring. Prosper’s breakout performance and Jackson’s back-to-back 20-point games give Memphis reason for optimism moving forward.
The Grizzlies will look to build on this momentum Saturday when they visit the Miami Heat. Utah heads to Houston on Monday to face the Rockets.
