Ty Jerome scores career-high 45, a Grizzlies opener record, as Memphis beats the Jazz 123-103

Ty Jerome picked a good night for the best game of his career. The Memphis guard scored a career-high 45 points on 17-of-25 shooting as the Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 123-103 at FedExForum on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the season opener for both teams. His name drew more than 100,000 US searches overnight, according to Google Trends, with “Ty Jerome career high” among the top related queries.

Ty Jerome’s career high, by the numbers

According to the Associated Press and the Jazz’s own game recap, Jerome finished with:

• 45 points on 17-of-25 shooting
• 5-of-10 from 3-point range
• 11-of-14 inside the paint
• 6 assists and just 1 turnover
• Plus-22 in the box score

The 45 points were the most ever by a Memphis player in a season opener, breaking the 44 Ja Morant scored in 2020, the AP reported. That record carries an extra twist: Morant now plays for Portland after an offseason trade that brought Jerami Grant to Memphis.

Jerome had seven points within the first four minutes, and the Jazz recap described him mixing deep shooting with “a plethora of finishes inside the paint.” When Utah chipped away early in the fourth quarter, it was another Jerome flurry that pushed the lead back to 20 with just over six minutes left.

Jazz vs. Grizzlies: final score

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Jazz	31	20	28	24	103
Grizzlies	29	35	34	25	123

Utah actually led by nine in the first quarter behind Keyonte George and rookie Darryn Peterson, who combined for the Jazz’s first 13 points. But an 18-3 Memphis run flipped the game early in the second quarter, and the Grizzlies led 64-51 at halftime. An 18-4 run to open the third (the Jazz recap described the first part of it as an 11-4 burst) stretched the lead to 82-55, and Memphis led by as many as 27.

Rebounds, turnovers and the “possession game”

Memphis finished with a 55-38 edge on the boards and a 23-9 advantage in fast-break points, while Utah committed 18 turnovers, according to the Jazz.

“It was a pretty ugly game, but it’s never quite as bad as it feels,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “The possession game is huge in our league. They got 17 more shots than we did, you could almost end the discussion there.”

Jaxson Hayes and the rest of the box score

One Jazz bright spot: Jaxson Hayes blocked a career-high six shots, per the AP, which explains why his name trended alongside Jerome’s. Other notable lines:

• Keyonte George (UTA): 22 points, 5 assists on 7-of-12 shooting
• Lauri Markkanen (UTA): 18 points
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (UTA): 15 points before fouling out, in his return to FedExForum after eight seasons in Memphis
• Ace Bailey (UTA): 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks off the bench
• Jerami Grant (MEM): 15 points
• Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson (MEM): 12 points each

Rookie debuts: Peterson vs. Boozer

The game also featured the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in this year’s draft. Utah’s Darryn Peterson, from Kansas, had nine points and three assists. Memphis’ Cam Boozer, from Duke, had seven points, 11 rebounds and five assists but shot 2-of-15, including 0-of-6 from 3, per the AP.

What’s next

The Grizzlies visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday. The Jazz host the New Orleans Pelicans the same night.

FAQ

What is Ty Jerome’s career high? 45 points, set Oct. 21, 2026, against the Utah Jazz.

Who won Jazz vs. Grizzlies? Memphis won 123-103 in the season opener.

Is 45 a Grizzlies record? It’s the most by a Memphis player in a season opener, topping Ja Morant’s 44 in 2020.

How many blocks did Jaxson Hayes have? A career-high six.