Tue Dec 16 03:10:00 UTC 2025: Grizzlies Welcome Back Morant, But Fall Short Against Jazz in 130-126 Loss
MEMPHIS, TN – Ja Morant made his highly anticipated return to FedExForum on Tuesday night, drawing a roaring ovation from the home crowd. However, the excitement surrounding his comeback was overshadowed by a disappointing 130-126 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Morant, who had been sidelined for 10 games due to a calf strain, finished with 21 points and 10 assists in a limited 25 minutes. While his presence undoubtedly boosted the Grizzlies’ offense, defensive struggles and rebounding woes ultimately led to their downfall.
“We should’ve won,” Morant said after the game. “We played soft. They outrebounded us, we let guys come off the bench and make a difference, we let their star guys pretty much be comfortable. We got to be better. I got to be better.”
The Grizzlies were outrebounded 58-49 by the Jazz, leading to a 24-14 advantage in second-chance points for Utah. Keyonte George led the Jazz with a career-high 39 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 26.
Memphis led by as many as 12 points before Utah stormed back with a 29-7 run in the third quarter. The loss marks the first time this season Memphis has lost to a team with a current record below .500.
Teammates expressed their excitement to have Morant back. “When he’s not on the court, it’s not ideal,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “It’s not a vibe. It sucks. When he’s on the court, it’s great.”
While rookie Cam Spencer had a standout performance off the bench, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range for 20 points, the Grizzlies couldn’t contain Utah’s offensive firepower. Kevin Love added 20 points of his own off the bench for the Jazz.
The Grizzlies (11-14) will look to bounce back in their next game as they continue to integrate Morant back into the lineup and address their defensive issues.
First Piper 