On Friday night, February 20, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies mounted a remarkable second-half rally to defeat the Utah Jazz 123-114 at home in Memphis. Key to the comeback was Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who finished with 23 points, supported by GG Jackson’s 20 points, as the Grizzlies overcame a significant deficit to secure the win.
The Jazz dominated early, establishing a 14-point lead in the first half and heading into halftime with a 67-55 advantage. However, Memphis intensified their efforts in the third quarter, opening with a decisive 21-6 run that dramatically shifted momentum in their favor and allowed them to erase the deficit.
Offensive Surge Pushes Grizzlies into Lead in Final Quarter
Following their strong third quarter, the Grizzlies took control by building a 10-point lead early in the fourth. They extended this advantage to 16 points after a pivotal three-pointer from GG Jackson with 4:31 remaining, putting the game out of reach for the Jazz. This victory snapped Memphis’s four-game losing streak, with eight of the nine Grizzlies players who participated scoring in double figures.
For Utah, Isaiah Collier led scoring efforts with 24 points, while Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey each contributed 20 points in a determined but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to rally.
Injury Challenges and Team Status in Western Conference
Both teams entered the contest amid difficult seasons, positioned in the lower half of the Western Conference standings—Memphis holding 11th place and Utah 13th. The game was played against a backdrop of extensive roster challenges, with Memphis missing nine players due to injuries. This forced them to depend heavily on their bench depth.
The Jazz also faced a depleted lineup, sidelined by the absence of several players including Keyonte George, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jaren Jackson Jr.—the latter having been acquired from the Grizzlies during the trade deadline. Utah’s top scorer Lauri Markkanen was a late scratch because of illness.
Earlier in the month, the NBA fined Utah $500,000 for resting key players in the fourth quarters of recent games against Orlando and Miami, reflecting ongoing league concerns over game management practices.
Honoring Former Grizzlies Now with Utah Jazz
During the game, Memphis recognized former players who were now members of the Utah Jazz. GG Jackson received a video tribute at the end of the first quarter, while Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar were acknowledged before halftime during a timeout to honor their contributions prior to being traded.
Upcoming Games for Memphis and Utah
Looking forward, the Utah Jazz will travel to Houston to face the Rockets on Monday night, while the Grizzlies are scheduled to play the Miami Heat in Miami this Saturday. Both teams aim to use this game as a momentum builder for their respective postseason pushes.
