Jazz squander 2nd half lead, fall to Grizzlies in post All-Star return

MEMPHIS — A couple of new Jazzmen made their return back to Memphis in Utah's first game back from the All-Star break.

The Jazz fell to the Grizzlies 123-114 as John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. faced their former team for the first time since the Feb. 3 trade that sent them and Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah.

Jackson did not suit up to play the team he spent nearly eight seasons with after successfully undergoing knee surgery. Even in street clothes, the Memphis crowd gave Jackson a warm reception in the first quarter.

After leading for much of the game, Utah surrendered the lead in the fourth quarter and the Grizzlies never looked back after taking control.

"Really a tale of two halves," Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. "First half, did a good job moving the ball, shot 50% from three, made 11 threes in the half. We had 15 turnovers in the second half. It's hard to get a rhythm offensively. When we get a little bit careless, it puts us in a hole, and I thought the second half really hurt us tonight."

Each team was sluggish at times in their first game in over a week. The Jazz were still without Keyonte George as he is still recovering from an ankle sprain, and Lauri Markkanen was a late scratch with an illness.

Utah was also missing Jusuf Nurkic, but Memphis was without plenty of starters, as well, with Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward highlighting the list of inactives.

In the absence of a couple starters, the Jazz ran the offense through a trio of young players. Isaiah Collier paced Utah throughout while Ace Bailey looked for his shot early and often.

Kyle Filipowski and Bailey each finished with 20 points but it was Collier who led the team in scoring. The second-year guard out of USC poured in 24 points and added five assists and four steals.

Utah led for much of the game and had as big of a lead as 14. The Grizzlies continued to stay aggressive and slowly clawed their way back early in the second half.

The Jazz still maintained their lead throughout the third quarter but short-handed Memphis refused to quit. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Grizzlies would take their first lead of the game but by that point, they had snatched all of the momentum.

Memphis would not relinquish the lead and held on for the victory to snap a four-game losing streak.

Eight players reached double-digit scoring for the Grizzlies and it was Olivier-Maxence Prosper who led the way with 23 points off the bench.

Taylor Hendricks totaled nine points and nine rebounds in his first action against the team that selected him ninth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Walter Clayton Jr., who was also acquired by Memphis in the Jackson trade, was out due to a calf injury.

Former Utah Ute, Lawson Lovering, posted 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies. It was the first career double-double for Lovering after he made his NBA debut just before the All-Star break on Feb. 11 against the Nuggets.

Blake Hinson also played well in just his second NBA game of his career as he scored 13 points on an efficient 5/6 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench for Utah.

"Blake keeps it simple. His shooting is one of the things that we're really excited about and if Blake gets an open one, he lets it rip. He doesn't over dribble, he keeps the game really simple, and I think that gives him the ability to play with a lot of different people," Hardy said.

The Jazz will be on the road for one more game with a Monday night matchup against the Rockets.

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