Ty Jerome delivered the kind of season opener that immediately changes the conversation, scoring 45 points on 17-of-25 shooting as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 123-103 at FedEx Forum on Wednesday.
All eyes were on the rookies before tip-off, with Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer both making their NBA debuts in a game that carried as much long-term intrigue as it did opening-night energy. But the night belonged to Jerome, who controlled the scoring load for Memphis and turned what had been a closely watched matchup into a comfortable win.
Jerome sets the tone early
The Grizzlies led by 13 points at halftime, even though Jerome had only four points at the break. That detail makes the final line even more striking, because Memphis did not need a single explosive burst from him to put Utah under pressure. Instead, he kept finding ways to score as the game wore on and finished with a total that stood far above anyone else on the floor.
For the Jazz, there was a different kind of attention on the night. Utah selected Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick of the 2026 NBA draft, while Memphis followed by taking Cameron Boozer at No. 3. Those are the kinds of moves that shape a franchise’s future, and this was one of the first chances to see the rookies in a live setting.
The rookies may define the future
That broader picture is part of what made the game worth watching beyond the final score. The source of the long-term optimism for both teams is tied to those high-profile rookies, even if the immediate story was Jerome’s scoring display.
Utah also continues to lean on the development path it has already started with Ace Bailey, who was taken by the Jazz at No. 5 last year. For Memphis, the night was about a sharp opening result and a standout performance that gave the team an early boost.
The Grizzlies will now turn quickly to Friday’s meeting with the Golden State Warriors, while the Jazz are left to absorb a difficult opening result and a reminder that the long season is only just beginning.
