Memphis traveled to Utah and walked away with a hard-fought 119-118 win over the Jazz. The game came down to the wire, but the Grizzlies kept their cool to seal the deal at the Vivint Arena. For Memphis, now at 9-8, this was a long-awaited triumph on Utah's home court, their first since 2018. Even more impressive was how they bounced back from a devastating 43-point loss to Minnesota just a few days prior.
Facing a highly successful Jazz squad, the Grizzlies played with a level of intensity that caught everyone off guard. This shift in energy followed a deep, 90-minute team meeting led by Ja Morant to get everyone on the same page. The stage was set for a standout performance, and Jaren Jackson Jr. rose to the occasion, essentially carrying the team to an unforgettable win. Notably, coach Taylor Jenkins trusted his squad completely, refusing to call a timeout in the closing moments and letting the players decide the outcome.
With only 14 seconds remaining, Jackson showed great strength by winning a jump ball against the towering Rudy Gobert. As Ja Morant slashed toward the paint to draw the defense's attention, he created a wide-open look for Jackson. With just 5 seconds on the clock, Jackson nailed a flawless three-pointer to clinch the game for Memphis.
Ja Morant spearheaded the effort with an impressive line of 32 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals. He was supported by Desmond Bane, who had a career night with 28 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Jaren Jackson also contributed significantly, finishing with 26 points, 8 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Morant's leadership and precision shooting in the final stretch were pivotal, and the combined effort of this trio has led the team to three wins in their last four outings.
On the other side, Bojan Bogdanovic was a force for the Jazz, racking up 24 points and hitting a season-high seven three-pointers. His ability to hit consecutive long-range shots nearly gave Utah the win, putting them in a strong position during the final two minutes. Rudy Gobert was also a powerhouse with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 19 and 18 points respectively.
Memphis managed a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the second half. However, with the score tied at 112, Rudy Gobert made a critical play by blocking Ja Morant's floater. This sparked a transition play where Royce found Bogdanovic, who hit a step-back three to push the Jazz to a 118-112 lead. Despite having three consecutive opportunities to regain control, the Jazz struggled to execute, leaving the door open for Memphis.