Utah Jazz Test Grizzlies, Fall Short In Season Opener

Oct 23, 2024, 9:51 PM

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 23: Jay Huff #30 of the Memphis Grizzlies fouls Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Delta Center on October 23, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

BY BRIAN PREECE

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz dropped the first game of 2024-25, falling at Delta Center to the Memphis Grizzlies 126-124.

The Jazz enter the season with a new look after finishing 12th in the Western Conference last season with a 31-51 record. Despite inking Lauri Markkanen to a long-term max extension, few expect Utah to make a push for the playoffs in a loaded West.

Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collin Sexton return as veteran contributors from last season, but Will Hardy’s crew also has seven players in their third NBA season or less.

RELATED: Jazz Pick Up Options On Quartet Of Youngsters

Jordan.
Taylor.
bucket.

Presented by @pura pic.twitter.com/HrrnsoZQL5

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 24, 2024

Center Walker Kessler and guard Johnny Juzang look to make a leap in their third year. Point guard Keyonte George hopes to take the next step after wearing down late in his rookie season. At the same time, fellow second-year players Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh will try to show they belong in Hardy’s regular rotation.

Behind them is a trio of rookies and a smattering of veterans vying for playing time this season. CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge brought in sixth-year veterans Svi Mykhailiuk and Drew Eubanks along with 15-year pro Patty Mills for some veteran leadership on and off the court. 2024 first-round picks Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier will have a chance to show they belong in the league while second-round pick Kyle Filipowski tries to earn backup center and power forward minutes.

Pregame

The @utahjazz injury report for opening night.

OUT – Isaiah Collier (right hamstring strain)

OUT – Johnny Juzang (right thumb sprain)#TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2024

The @utahjazz open their season tonight against the @memgrizz.

Here's a detailed look at every player on the roster including the familiar faces, new names, and expectations for the 2024-25 campaign. #takenote https://t.co/IlF3rbj04f

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 23, 2024

You can feel the excitement at #DeltaCenter as the #utahjazz open the 2024-25 season at home against the #memphisgrizzlies #TakeNote

Tip-off at 7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/HcjvYZFret

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 23, 2024

Tee Morant and Jason Terry catching up pregame. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/ejPNOsw9Wr

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

This black plastic layer is designed to cover the Utah Hockey Club ice at Delta Center which I’ve been told will remain under the court throughout the season.

It’s maybe 1.5 inches thick, and serves as a moisture prevention layer as well. #TakeNote | @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/vyWl98K2HI

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

My first hot take of the season is that in honor of the team name being the JAZZ, and the fact that it always rips, the national anthem at Jazz games should always be played by a saxophonist.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

Love having the players faces projected on the floor during the lineup announcements.

Good game ops to start the @utahjazz season.#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/SsKpgjcuqO

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

First Quarter

LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz open the 2024-25 season at home against the @memgrizz on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and: https://t.co/gkGte8V4Yp pic.twitter.com/mVjhCVcWwI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Very good Walker Kessler minutes early in this game.

Three points, two rebounds, an assist, and two blocks, but most importantly he's just playing really hard.

He's a difference-maker when he does that.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

Brice Sensabaugh is the @utahjazz's first sub, a little surprising, but a good vote of confidence for the Ohio State product.

All three of the Jazz's first-round picks from last season sharing the floor in the opening quarter of game one.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

The @utahjazz starters hung strong with the @memgrizz, but once Will Hardy went to the bench, the team is -5.

Depth will be a question all year with so many players in the rotation.

Jazz down 23-18 with 2:37 left in the first quarter. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/WZ5DnteNoh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

RELATED: High Flying Lauri Markkanen Gets Utah Jazz Season Started With Thunderous Slam

The Finnisher throws down an alley-oop slam for the #UtahJazz.#TakeNote https://t.co/vqGnmww9vy

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

After one the @utahjazz trail the @memgrizz 29-23.

The good, Walker Kessler was truly impressive with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 7 minutes.

The bad, Memphis had more made threes (6) than Jazz had attempts (4). pic.twitter.com/fDix2MzXvN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Second Quarter

Nice SLOB plays from Will Hardy that have Lauri Markkanen curling away from the ball on the weak side with the defender going over the screen, leading to two easy alley-oops.

Good to be seven-feet tall, a knockdown shooter, and a freakish leaper.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

He's back.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

#UtahJazz forward John Collins said🛑with blocked shot.#TakeNote https://t.co/vW79gQ1Kw7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

RELATED: Utah Jazz Forward John Collins Sends Blocked Shot Into Delta Center Crowd

Cody Williams first NBA points come from the free-throw line.

He's got two points and two fouls in 8 minutes in the first half.

Jazz trail the Grizzlies 43-37 midway through the second quarter. #takenote | @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/sVqaqawAd0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Considering the Jazz were outscored by 30 at the three-point line, they're lucky to be down only 11 at the half.

They've got 9 more made free-throws than the Grizz, and rebounds and turnovers are even, so not a striking discrepancy in possessions.

Keyonte George 0-9 is tough.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

At the half, the @Utahjazz trail the @memgrizz 61-50.

Rough first half for Keyonte George who is 0-9 from the floor including 0-3 from downtown.

Difficult game one after a terrific preseason. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/DW1cA7soRL

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Third Quarter

The @utahjazz open the second half on a 10-3 run and trail the @memgrizz 64-60.

Obvious adjustment at halftime was to shoot more threes, and the Jazz are 2-2 in their last two possessions. #takenote pic.twitter.com/m5lAMBqi8Z

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

RELATED: Utah Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Posterizes 7’4 Zach Edey

#UtahJazz forward Lauri Markkanen welcomes Zach Edey to the #NBA.#TakeNote https://t.co/RrJCXC05hN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Welcome to the NBA, rook.

Ja Morant rips Cody Williams at halfcourt then finishes the and-one on what should have been the final possession of the third quarter.

Part of the process.@memgrizz lead the @utahjazz 93-86 after three.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/kba24Ixzbv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

yeah, we're gonna say it,,,,

BUCKLE UP, JAZZ FANS! pic.twitter.com/jQCiO7kTNs

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 24, 2024

Fourth Quarter

Louder than the #UtahHC opener at Delta Center was just now… the #UtahJazz fans cheering for free chicken. And Zach Edey delivered, missing two free throws early in the 4th quarter.#TakeNote

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) October 24, 2024

I'm a Zach Edey believer, but he was pretty brutal tonight.

6 fouls in 15 minutes, just 1-5 from the free-throw line.

Jazz ate on offense while he was in the game.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

With 8:41 left in the game the @utahjazz trail the @memgrizz 102-96.

Lauri Markkanen and Santi Aldama each with 23 in the game. #Takenote pic.twitter.com/rg4sxWbHyF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

Taylor Hendricks has been the @utahjazz's best 2023 draft pick so far tonight.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

Will Hardy took Lauri Markkanen out at the 6:45 mark of the fourth quarter with the Jazz leading by one.

1:07 later they've surrendered a 6-0 run, and trail the Grizzlies 110-105 with 5:38 left in the game.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

Will the #UtahJazz end up losing 50ish games this season? Maybe. But one thing that we know… this will always be fun to watch 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
High flying Lauri Markkanen.#TakeNote @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/UTbfxHfY9S

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) October 24, 2024

This Scottie Pippen Jr./Keyonte George battles goes back to the summer league where the two really went at each other here in Salt Lake City.

George got the better of him that night, Pippen has one this battle at the Jazz sophomore is just 3-18 from the floor.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 24, 2024

With 8:41 left in the game the @utahjazz trail the @memgrizz 102-96.

Lauri Markkanen and Santi Aldama each with 23 in the game. #Takenote pic.twitter.com/rg4sxWbHyF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024

The @utahjazz drop their home opener to the @memgrizz 126-124.

Jazz were led by Lauri Markkanen who had 35 on just 15 shots, while Santi Aldama had 27 for Memphis. #takeNote pic.twitter.com/pinrAWNtIq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2024