The Memphis Grizzlies are rolling through the early weeks of the NBA season, capturing the attention of the league with an unblemished 3-0 record. This marks the franchise’s best start since the 2017-18 campaign, a surge fueled by an unexpected and explosive offensive breakout from veteran guard-forward Ty Jerome and stellar contributions from prized rookie forward Cameron Boozer. As the Grizzlies prepare to hit the road for a matchup against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, the team is playing with a palpable sense of confidence and cohesion that has surprised external observers, even if it has validated the internal belief within the organization.
The latest chapter of this early-season success story was written Sunday night at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, where the Grizzlies secured a 123-112 victory over the Sacramento Kings. With the win, Memphis joined elite company in franchise history, starting a season 3-0 for only the third time. The performance showcased both the veteran savvy of their new backcourt leader and the extraordinary maturity of their teenage rookie sensation, blending experience and youth into a potent combination.
At the center of Memphis’s early-season offensive fireworks is Ty Jerome. Stepping seamlessly into the starting point guard role following the offseason departure of Ja Morant, Jerome has captured the spotlight across the entire NBA. Entering Monday night’s slate of games, Jerome led the league in scoring, averaging an astonishing 36.5 points per contest. Against Sacramento, he carried the offensive load once again, pouring in a game-high 31 points. His relentless pressure on opposing defenses yielded high-efficiency opportunities, most notably when he went a flawless 14-of-14 from the free-throw line to help seal the victory down the stretch.
Jerome’s incredible run began on opening night at home against this very same Utah Jazz team, when he exploded for a career-high 45 points. Yet, for those inside the Grizzlies’ locker room and coaching staff, this breakout is not an anomaly. It is the direct result of grueling physical and mental preparation. Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo expressed immense admiration for Jerome’s resilience, noting that the guard’s current success is rooted in how he bounced back from a severe calf injury that derailed the start of his previous campaign.
"The shape he showed up to camp in, he has put in a hell of a lot of hard work last spring and this summer," Iisalo remarked following the win in Sacramento. "He’s put himself in a great situation. The confidence he is playing with is incredible."
While Jerome has provided the veteran scoring punch, the arrival of nineteen-year-old rookie forward Cameron Boozer has added a dynamic new element to the frontcourt. Selected third overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boozer has wasted no time proving that his collegiate pedigree translates directly to the professional level. Against the Kings, Boozer delivered a powerful double-double, tallying 16 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. That performance came on the heels of an even more dominant outing two days prior, when he erupted for 25 points and 13 boards in a hard-fought road victory against the Golden State Warriors.
Although the teenage forward has experienced some typical early-season shooting fluctuations as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NBA game, his poise on the floor has defied his age. Boozer plays with a calm, deliberate assurance that has earned the immediate respect of his older teammates. Jerome, who has witnessed firsthand the rookie’s daily approach to the game, offered high praise for the young forward’s demeanor. "Boozer is the most mature 19-year-old I’ve ever seen," Jerome noted, highlighting the intangible qualities that have allowed the rookie to fit seamlessly into a winning culture.
The Grizzlies’ momentum will be tested immediately as they travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz. The scheduling quirk means the Jazz will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set, and it represents a quick rematch for the two Northwest and Southwest division foes. Just five days prior, Memphis hosted Utah and cruised to a comfortable 123-103 victory, setting the tone for their dominant opening week. However, the Grizzlies know that playing on the road in Utah presents a completely different set of challenges, especially against a desperate opponent eager to bounce back.
The Jazz enter the contest looking to clean up the defensive lapses that cost them in their previous outing. On Sunday, Utah fell to 1-2 on the young season following a high-scoring 132-123 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the final score, the Jazz actually started the game in blistering fashion, exploding for a 47-point first quarter that staked them to an imposing 18-point lead.
That early dominance, however, evaporated as the Lakers mounted a furious comeback orchestrated by Luka Doncic, who carved up the Utah defense for a game-high 52 points. Even in defeat, Jazz head coach Will Hardy chose to focus on the silver linings and the educational value the game provided for his youthful roster. Hardy believes that the adversity faced early in the season will ultimately benefit the team’s long-term trajectory.
"I think our team is improving in a bunch of areas," Hardy said. "I think our offense has taken a step forward. … These games against the best players coming down the stretch are so good for our young guys to have. This stuff is going to pay off for our group moving forward."
Furthermore, Hardy pointed to tangible indicators of grit and execution that surfaced during the battle with Los Angeles. The Jazz demonstrated exceptional tenacity on the glass, hauling in 20 offensive rebounds that translated into 34 valuable second-chance points. Utah also imposed its will inside the perimeter, outscoring the Lakers 58-28 in points in the paint, showcasing a physical identity that the coaching staff has heavily emphasized. "Those are emphases for us and they were executed well," Hardy noted.
Individually, the Jazz boast several weapons capable of disrupting Memphis’s defensive schemes. Forward Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 28 points against the Lakers, using his unique blend of size and shooting range to stretch opposing defenses. Meanwhile, guard Keyonte George turned in a brilliant all-around performance, finishing just a single rebound shy of what would have been his first career triple-double. George dictated the offense with 24 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. The Utah lineup also features familiar faces like former Memphis star Jaren Jackson Jr., who contributed 20 points against Los Angeles and remains a central figure in the frontcourt matchups as the Jazz attempt to slow down Jerome and the surging Grizzlies.