Last night was an emotional game in Memphis as Jaren Jackson Jr. returned for the first time as a visitor. While Jackson Jr. did not play, he still got a powerful video tribute, which reminded everyone why he remains so loved in Memphis.
John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. also got a video tribute for their time in Memphis. Both players had a strong reputation for their hustle and playing with the grit that Memphis fans love.
It was an eventful game, to say the least, as Utah had a very strong first half before the Grizzlies completely took over. While there will be significant talk about Utah's effort to tank, the Grizzlies have played with so much effort after the trade deadline, despite being so shorthanded.
The Grizzlies' effort was very noticeable last night
The Grizzlies only had nine healthy players for the game against the Jazz. Despite having a difficult first half defensively, the Grizzlies really ramped up their intensity and were able to win 123-114, largely because of their defensive playmaking ability. They had 15 steals and 6 blocks as a team, while forcing a total of 24 Utah turnovers and scoring 30 points off them.
It is clear that the Grizzlies have a very promising group of forwards. While Cedric Coward did not play last night, GG Jackson II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper gave the team a significant offensive boost. Jackson II has been very good as of late, and Prosper has made a very strong case for getting a standard contract soon.
Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. were out last night as they continue to manage returns from injuries. The win last night is even more impressive given how shorthanded the Grizzlies were with their guards. Cam Spencer's playmaking and Javon Small's defensive activity were both essential to the Grizzlies making a second-half comeback.
Lawson Lovering was signed to a ten-day contract right before the All-Star break. He was a surprise source of rebounding and defense for a Grizzlies team that desperately needs Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke. Taylor Hendricks also had 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in his first game against the Jazz since the trade.
The Grizzlies were able to snap a four-game losing streak despite trailing by double digits and being shorthanded. They will likely have a hard time stacking consistent wins, but it is clear that the team's effort continues to be great every night since the trade deadline. While fans might not be excited now, games like last night's could strongly impact the team's development.