Ty Jerome Scores 45, Grizzlies Beat Jazz in Record Opener

Ty Jerome just put up 45 points in the season opener, and Grizzlies fans are going to need a minute. Jerome set a career high and a Memphis opening-night record as the Grizzlies pulled away from the Utah Jazz 123-103 on Wednesday night at FedExForum, according to the AP recap.

The 45 points broke the franchise record for a season opener, topping the 44 Ja Morant scored in 2020. Jerome got there on 17-of-25 shooting, 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 6-of-7 at the line, with seven rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes. The Morant record falling on the first night after Memphis traded Morant to Portland is a detail Grizzlies fans will not miss.

The third-quarter run that settled it

Memphis led by as many as 15 in the first half and took a 64-51 edge into the break. Then the Grizzlies opened the third on an 18-4 run to stretch it to 82-55, and the lead peaked at 27. Utah trailed by at least 15 the whole fourth quarter. If you were watching Jerome in that third quarter, you were watching a career night happen in real time.

Jerami Grant, part of the return in the Morant trade with Portland, scored 15 in his Grizzlies debut. Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson each added 12.

Peterson vs. Boozer and a homecoming for Jaren Jackson Jr.

The opener also matched two of the top rookies in this class. Utah took Darryn Peterson out of Kansas No. 2 overall, and Memphis grabbed Cam Boozer from Duke right after him. Peterson scored nine. Boozer filled the box with 11 rebounds and five assists but shot 2-of-15 and 0-of-6 from deep. Rookie fans got a first look, just not a shooting night from either of them.

Jaren Jackson Jr. made his return to FedExForum after eight seasons in Memphis, having been traded to Utah at last February's deadline. He scored 15 before fouling out in the fourth. Keyonte George led Utah with 22, Lauri Markkanen added 18, and Jaxson Hayes blocked a career-high six shots. Jazz fans at least got to see Hayes protect the rim like that.

Memphis plays at Golden State on Friday. Utah hosts New Orleans on Friday.

Smacktok pick: lean higher on Jerome's points at Golden State on Friday. He took 25 shots and seven free throws in 32 minutes Wednesday, and the Grizzlies ran their offense through him with Morant gone.