Grizzlies Erase 14-Point Deficit, Rally Past Jazz

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Friday night at FedExForum, erasing a 14-point halftime deficit with a second-half surge that felt more like identity than accident.

Memphis was flat early. Utah was comfortable, knocking down 11 threes in the first half and building separation. The Grizzlies trailed by double digits and looked out of rhythm offensively.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo did not ignore that. “Our execution was very bad to start the game,” Iisalo said postgame. “But, especially in the second half, our defense stepped up a lot, created some transition opportunities, and overall … a deserved win.”

Memphis outscored Utah 68-47 after halftime, forcing turnovers, speeding the game up, and living in the paint. The Grizzlies finished with 66 points inside and held the Jazz to just 2-of-12 from three in the second half. In the fourth quarter alone, Memphis generated eight steals and forced 10 turnovers, flipping the possession battle when it mattered most.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper led the way with 23 points off the bench, continuing to show why his motor changes games. He attacked closeouts, ran the floor and embraced the defensive assignments that set the tone. His energy was not cosmetic. It was contagious.

GG Jackson II followed with 20 points and four rebounds, playing through the emotions of facing former teammates. He admitted afterward it still feels strange seeing familiar faces in different jerseys.

Lawson Lovering recorded his first career double-double in his first start, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds while logging a team-high 32 minutes. Cam Spencer added 10 assists, orchestrating the second-half flow and helping Memphis generate better quality looks. 

Eight Grizzlies finished in double figures. The comeback was not about one player catching fire. It was about collective pressure.

For Utah, Isaiah Collier led all scorers with 24 points and five assists, while Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski added 20 apiece. But after halftime, Memphis dictated pace and physicality.

The emotional weight of the night, though, lived beyond the stat sheet.

When Jaren Jackson Jr. returned to FedExForum for the first time since being traded to Utah, the arena rose. Jackson, currently recovering from knee surgery, was inactive, but his tribute video drew a genuine ovation.

Later, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. were honored together in a shared tribute video, a nod to the roles both played during their time in Memphis. The applause reflected appreciation for the glue work, the growth, and the locker-room presence that often does not headline but always matters.

After the game, players admitted it felt different competing against guys they once called teammates. Still, the response in FedExForum left no doubt. The impact they made in Memphis has not faded.

For Memphis, the result mattered. The four-game skid ended. The defense reappeared and the effort leveled up and the Grizzlies improved to 21-33. But what lingered was the reminder that effort still travels, and impact does not disappear just because a jersey changes.