Ja Morant made a strong return, posting a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists, to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a narrow 126-124 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Morant, who had missed most of last season, also grabbed five rebounds, helping Memphis start the season with a win.
Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies in scoring with 27 points, while Desmond Bane added 24. Memphis hit 17 three-pointers, with Aldama, Bane, and Jay Huff combining for 12 of those, keeping Utah on the back foot for much of the game. The Grizzlies built a double-digit lead in the first half and held off a late Jazz rally in the fourth quarter.
Lauri Markkanen had a standout performance for Utah, scoring a game-high 35 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Walker Kessler contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to add 17 points and seven assists. The Jazz erased a 17-point deficit in the second half but could not complete the comeback.
Memphis capitalized on Utah’s turnovers throughout the game, scoring 22 points off the Jazz’s 16 miscues in the first three quarters. Utah, however, tightened up in the fourth quarter, going on a 17-3 run to take a brief 105-104 lead with 6:45 left. Taylor Hendricks and Markkanen combined for baskets and free throws to spark the Jazz’s run.
Morant’s return was a significant boost for the Grizzlies, as the All-Star point guard appeared in just nine games last season before serving a 25-game suspension and suffering a shoulder injury. His playmaking was critical in setting up teammates, particularly Aldama and Bane, who both benefited from Morant’s ability to penetrate the Jazz defense and kick the ball out to open shooters.
On Utah’s side, Markkanen’s scoring kept the game competitive. He shot efficiently from the field, hitting 12-of-23, and added five three-pointers. Kessler provided a strong presence in the paint, with five blocks to go along with his double-double, but it wasn’t enough to stop Memphis’ perimeter shooting.
Jay Huff played a key role off the Grizzlies’ bench, scoring 13 points and blocking two shots in 22 minutes. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart added 11 points, and Morant led the way as the team’s facilitator, finding open teammates throughout the game.
For the Jazz, sloppiness on offense was a key issue. Utah’s 16 turnovers limited their ability to maintain offensive rhythm for much of the game, and despite a strong push in the final quarter, those mistakes proved costly. Clarkson provided a spark off the bench but could not guide Utah to the win.
