On March 12, 2025, the Memphis Grizzlies solidified their playoff aspirations by defeating the Utah Jazz 122-115 at the FedEx Forum. This victory marked the Grizzlies' fourth consecutive win and heightened the tension for the Jazz, who are currently on the brink of losing their seventh straight game.
Luke Kennard was the standout player for the Grizzlies, scoring 30 points and making 11-of-14 shots, including 7-of-9 from three-point range. His performance was timely, especially with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter. Ja Morant contributed significantly as well, adding 28 points along with seven assists. Memphis thrived off their three-point shooting, converting 20 of 44 attempts, compared to the Jazz’s 12 for 34.
The evening was not without moments of drama. Utah initially found themselves trailing by as many as 19 points but rallied back fiercely. Collin Sexton put the Jazz up 115-114 with just over a minute remaining. Nevertheless, Kennard quickly responded with a 3-pointer, regaining the lead for Memphis. Morant then sealed the game with another three-pointer with only 12 seconds left, making it 120-115.
On the Jazz side, Collin Sexton put forth a valiant effort with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, matching the production of John Collins, who also scored 22 points. Despite the loss, this marked the 16th occasion this season when Lauri Markkanen, along with Collins, Sexton, Walker Kessler, and Jordan Clarkson played together—something the Jazz have not been able to maintain consistently. This game came shortly after Utah was hit with a significant $100,000 fine for resting Markkanen under the league’s player participation policy. Markkanen had recently returned from injury and finished with 14 points.
The game was intense throughout, but the statistics tell the story of the Grizzlies' resilience. The Jazz struggled on the boards, being outrebounded 60-39, with Memphis benefiting from their shooting accuracy to offset this disadvantage. Zach Edey made his return to the Grizzlies after missing time due to ankle soreness, playing 20 minutes and contributing eight points.
The turned tides for the Jazz have become familiar territory this season—down, but never out. After trailing for much of the first half, they showed flashes of brilliance with a 36-point third quarter, tying the game at 85. Yet, they seemed to falter under pressure late, particularly with some missed opportunities inside the arc. After the loss, Jazz players express feeling uplifted with the team dynamic now having pivotal players back. Despite the struggles, the evening brought good spirits, indicating they are not only focused on their immediate gameplay but future prospects as well.
Looking forward, both teams will compete again on Friday, March 14, 2025. The Jazz will host the Toronto Raptors, continuing the struggle of their season, and the Grizzlies will stay on their home court to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. This match-up will be pivotal for both teams—one aiming to get back on track, and the other seeking to bolster their playoff positioning.
While exact statistics don’t always tell the full narrative of the game, the standout moments from this matchup demonstrate the Grizzlies' potent offense and solid defensiveness at crunch time. The loss for Utah may sting today, yet as the Jazz look forward to the future, they can glean valuable lessons and moments of growth from hard-fought matches like this, which contribute to the evolution of their team.