Utah Jazz 105-110 Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis Grinds Out Road Win in Salt Lake City

The Memphis Grizzlies secured a hard-fought 110-105 road victory over the Utah Jazz on October 27, 2026, relying on late-game execution and a strong defensive finish to escape Salt Lake City with the win. In a game that featured 11 lead changes, Memphis made the bigger plays in the final three minutes and handed Utah a frustrating home loss.

Both teams came into the matchup looking to establish their identity early in the season. Utah wanted to play through Lauri Markkanen and use its size inside, while Memphis leaned on Ja Morant’s penetration and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s two-way presence. The result was a tightly contested, physical game that felt more like a midseason battle than an early-season meeting.

Match Overview

The Jazz controlled the opening quarter behind Markkanen’s scoring and Walker Kessler’s interior defense. Utah built a modest lead by attacking the offensive glass and forcing Memphis into contested jump shots. But the Grizzlies weathered the early storm, using Morant’s speed to get into the lane and create open looks for their shooters.

Memphis took its first lead late in the second quarter and the teams traded blows from there. Neither side led by more than seven points in the second half. The game was decided in the final minutes, when Memphis tightened its defense and Utah’s offense stalled.

Key Moments

• Final three-minute run: Memphis closed the game with a 7-0 run, turning a 103-103 tie into a 110-103 lead.
• Morant’s floater: With just over a minute remaining, Ja Morant hit a contested floater in the lane to push the Memphis lead to four.
• Jackson’s block: Jaren Jackson Jr. rejected a Utah drive on the next possession, preserving the Grizzlies’ advantage.
• Utah’s cold stretch: The Jazz missed five of their final six field-goal attempts, including three open looks from beyond the arc.

Tactical Story

Memphis won this game with defense and pace. The Grizzlies forced 16 Utah turnovers and converted them into 21 points, often getting out in transition before the Jazz could set their half-court defense. Morant was the catalyst, but Memphis also got important contributions from its wings, who cut baseline and attacked closeouts.

Utah’s half-court offense was effective for long stretches, especially when Markkanen operated from the mid-post. However, the Jazz became too reliant on jump shots in the fourth quarter. When Memphis switched more aggressively on screens and closed the paint, Utah’s ball movement slowed. The Jazz also struggled to keep Memphis off the free-throw line in the closing minutes.

Standout Players

Ja Morant led Memphis with 26 points and 9 assists, repeatedly breaking down Utah’s defense in pick-and-roll situations. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points and 4 blocks, anchoring the paint on both ends. Desmond Bane contributed 18 points, including two crucial fourth-quarter threes.

For Utah, Lauri Markkanen finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds, while Walker Kessler posted 12 points and 14 rebounds. Collin Sexton added 18 points off the bench, but the Jazz could not find enough offense late. Utah’s guards combined for just 9 points in the fourth quarter.

Season Impact

The win is an important early-season road result for Memphis, especially in the competitive Western Conference. It shows the Grizzlies can win when the game slows down and defense becomes the deciding factor. For Utah, the loss is a lesson in late-game execution: the Jazz need more consistent shot creation when Markkanen is crowded.

At 110-105, this was a game Memphis will feel it stole on the road. Utah will feel it let one slip away. In the Western Conference standings, those small margins often separate playoff teams from play-in teams, and Memphis’ ability to close on the road could prove valuable as the season unfolds.