10/23 Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies Recap
One thing I liked, one thing I disliked
The Utah Jazz suffered a tough loss in their home opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Lauri Markkanen delivered a standout performance, posting 35 points, 9 rebounds, and impressive shooting splits of 60/57/92. On the other side, we saw just how dangerous the Grizzlies' backcourt duo of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane can be, as they combined for 46 points and 14 assists. This first game of the season highlighted some of the reasons why the Jazz were projected to finish with one of the league's worst records, with a betting line of just 27.5 wins. In this and future recaps, I’ll be diving into one thing I liked and one thing I disliked from the game.
One Thing I Disliked
The season opener presented a tough challenge for Keyonte George, who had the unenviable task of serving as Utah’s primary ball handler. Memphis clearly had a game plan in place, and it was reminiscent of what the best defensive coordinators in the NFL do—apply relentless pressure on the quarterback, or in this case, the point guard. From the start, Memphis consistently picked up Keyonte in the backcourt, forcing him to navigate the full length of the court with a defender right on his hip or directly in his face.
In the first half, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Scottie Pippen Jr. each took turns relentlessly pressuring Keyonte George in the full court. While Keyonte managed it well for most of the game, finishing with only one turnover, the full-court pressure was just the beginning of Memphis’ strategy to disrupt his rhythm.
George often utilizes ball screens, running pick-and-rolls with Walker Kessler multiple times each game. The Memphis Grizzlies countered this with a disciplined, well-executed defensive strategy. Kessler’s defender played drop coverage, while Keyonte’s defender fought over the screen, staying on George’s back. It’s not surprising that, as a second-year player, Keyonte hasn’t yet mastered the "hostage dribble"—the move where you use your body to shield the defender, allowing you to dictate the pace in the paint. Memphis’s coverage forced George into taking quick, out-of-rhythm shots under pressure.
Credit goes to the Memphis Grizzlies for their defensive coverage and for disrupting Keyonte George, but he needs to respond better—slowing the game down, staying composed under pressure, and not letting missed shots affect his confidence. The shot chart tells the story: Keyonte struggled both inside the arc and from deep, despite generating some decent looks from three.
One Thing I Liked
If you’re like me and love the Jazz so much that a single game can be the highlight of your day, you may have walked away from Utah’s home opener feeling a bit discouraged. However, there’s plenty to be excited about, especially with Utah’s starting frontcourt.
Lauri Markkanen: 35 PTS - 9 REB - 9/15 FG - 4/7 3PM
Walker Kessler: 16 PTS - 14 REB - 5 BLK - 6/7 FG
Taylor Hendricks: 12 PTS - 5 REB - 2 STL - 4/7 FG
Remember before the 2023-24 season, when prominent NBA analysts predicted the Jazz would be a tough team to face on any given night due to their size and athleticism? While that didn’t fully materialize last year, we might see it come to fruition this season.
Many Utah Jazz observers were eager to see how Walker Kessler would fare against Zach Edey, especially after Edey’s dominant Summer League performance, which led some to question, “Is this the end for Kessler?” In Wednesday night’s matchup, Walker Kessler didn’t disappoint—in fact, he clearly won the battle. Edey finished with just 5 points, 5 rebounds, and fouled out in 14 minutes of action. This was a statement game for Kessler, a significant step toward proving he can return to the form that earned him 2nd place in Rookie of the Year voting.
Lauri Markkanen had a slow start in this game, but as it progressed, he made his presence felt. Backdoor lobs, flare-out three-pointers, and 14 free throw attempts showcased just how dangerous a scorer he can be. Despite former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart guarding him, Lauri looked uncomfortable in one-on-one situations but thrived when the team created open looks. As we enter year three of Markkanen’s tenure with the Jazz, we’ve come to understand both his strengths and limitations. Still, we also know that on any given night, he’s capable of exploding for 35 points on just 15 shots, even against elite defenders like Smart.
Sitting in the stadium at halftime, I glanced at the box score and noticed Taylor Hendricks was scoreless. In fact, it felt like a quiet game from him overall—he had a few solid defensive possessions but was largely absent on offense. Then, something shifted. The Utah Jazz gained momentum after halftime, thanks to some key plays from Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, and Taylor began to get involved. Offensive rebounds, corner spacing, and impressive defense on Ja Morant highlighted a much more impactful second half for the second-year standout. This might just be the story with Taylor Hendricks—his game seems to rise and fall with the team’s momentum.