Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
TV: DAZN-MEM (Grizzlies), KJZZ / Jazz+ (Jazz); NBA League Pass available with blackouts
This is the 2026-27 regular-season opener for both rebuilding Western Conference teams. Memphis begins the post-Ja Morant era with a young core, while Utah features high-upside talent including a top draft pick and a former Grizzly in Jaren Jackson Jr.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Jazz: Led by Lauri Markkanen (scoring forward, ~26.7 PPG in limited 2025-26 action), Keyonte George (playmaking guard), Jaren Jackson Jr. (acquired from Memphis), rookie Darryn Peterson (No. 2 overall pick out of Kansas, expected to start), Ace Bailey, Jaxson Hayes (projected starting center with Nurkic out), Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, and Isaiah Collier. Projected starters lean toward George, Peterson, Markkanen, Jackson Jr., and Hayes.
Grizzlies: Rebuilding after trading Morant. Key pieces include Ty Jerome (primary ball-handler), Zach Edey (7-foot-4 center), Cedric Coward, Cameron Boozer (2026 first-round pick from Duke), Jaylen Wells, Jerami Grant, and Scotty Pippen Jr. Projected starters often feature Jerome/Pippen Jr., Coward, Wells, Boozer, and Edey.
Injury Report
Jazz:
Jusuf Nurkic (C) – Out (right 2nd plantar plate tear; expected multi-week absence into November)
Tony Bradley (C) – Out (left quadriceps strain)
Trey Alexander (G) – Out (left knee contusion/bone bruise)
Blake Hinson (F) – Out (left hamstring strain)
Grizzlies:
Isaiah Stewart (C/F) – Doubtful/Day-to-Day (left ankle sprain)
Utah is thin in the frontcourt without Nurkic and Bradley. Memphis is close to full strength aside from Stewart.
Key Player Matchups
Lauri Markkanen / Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Zach Edey / Cameron Boozer / Cedric Coward: Scoring and two-way versatility for Utah against Memphis’s size and length. Jackson Jr. returns to FedExForum after being traded from the Grizzlies.
Keyonte George / Darryn Peterson vs. Ty Jerome / Scotty Pippen Jr.: Young backcourts battling for tempo and creation. Peterson’s debut against Jerome’s experience.
Jaxson Hayes / frontcourt vs. Edey / Stewart (if available): Rim protection and rebounding battle.
Overall style: Both sides emphasize youth, athleticism, and spacing. Expect up-tempo play with high usage from stars and rookies.
Recent Team Forms
Both are 0-0.
Preseason: Jazz strong late (wins at Phoenix, vs. San Antonio, at Denver; one loss to Denver). Grizzlies mixed but finished with a win over Charlotte (also wins at Chicago and Atlanta; loss to Orlando).
2025-26 regular season: Jazz 22-60; Grizzlies 25-57. Both bottom-dwellers in the West.
Series History
The teams split recent meetings competitively. 2025-26 examples include Jazz wins (147-101 on April 10; close games) and Grizzlies victories (123-114, 137-128). Overall recent series has been relatively even with high scoring.
Betting Trends
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 242
Memphis Grizzlies – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 20, 2026
