Clarkson Ejected, Jazz Lose Olynyk To Injury In Loss To Grizzlies

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell three games below .500 for the first time this season after a 123-118 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jordan Clarkson was elected in the third quarter after a flagrant foul while Kelly Olynyky left the game late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.

The Grizzlies were without star Ja Morant, but were led by Desmon Bane who scored 24 points.

First Quarter

The Jazz got off to a slow start offensively shooting just 1-6 from the free-throw line in the first quarter.

Defensively, the Jazz were able to hold the Grizzlies to 9-28 shooting fueled by five first quarter blocked shots from Walker Kessler.

.@JordanClarksons = 🪣 #TakeNote #UTAvsMEM https://t.co/Re0W4e0pxn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 8, 2023

The Jazz closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to take the lead heading into the second quarter behind five points from Kelly Olynyk.

After one the Jazz led Memphis 24-23.

Second Quarter

Both teams played better offensively in the second quarter as the Grizzlies shot well from the three-point line and the Jazz attacked the paint.

The Jazz execution got sloppy midway through the period as the Grizzlies forced 12 first half turnovers and capitalized on 10 offensive rebounds.

🖐️🖐️🖐️🖐️🖐️ @WalkerKessler13 #TakeNote #UTAvsMEMhttps://t.co/7ECARLVsjI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 8, 2023

Lauri Markkanen scored 11 first half points to lead the Jazz while Desmond Bane had 14 for Memphis.

At the break the Grizzlies led the Jazz 66-52.

Third Quarter

The Jazz opened the second half on a 20-7 run to trim the Grizzlies lead to one midway through the third.

Jordan Clarkson carried the Jazz with 13 points in the third to bring his total to 17 for the game.

JC posted a 13-point third quarter before getting ejected during the #UTAvsMEM game. #TakeNote https://t.co/2bCjJPUAqz

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2023

After back-to-back threes from Desmond Bane, Clarkson swiped the Grizzlies guard across the face leading to a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 and an ejection.

The Grizzlies closed the quarter strong and took a 98-90 lead into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz hung around in the fourth but were never able to make a serious push at the Grizzlies lead.

Kelly Olynyk had his best game since returning from an ankle injury in late December scoring 19 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out five assists on 7-9 shooting, but left the game late in the quarter after reinjuring the same ankle.

Kelly Olynyk had been having a great second half and a strong game overall with 19-8-5 before turning his left ankle late on a drive.

Tough sign after missing four games last month with a left ankle sprain.

He's in real pain.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 9, 2023

Six Jazz players scored in double-digits while the Grizzlies were led by Bane with 24.

The Utah Jazz fell to the Grizzlies 123-118 in Memphis.

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