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Jazz Face Grizzlies in Season Opener
22 Oct
Summary
- Jazz aim to improve defensive record from last season.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. returns to play against his former team.
- Both Jazz and Grizzlies hope for postseason berths this year.
The Utah Jazz are set to commence their 2026-27 NBA season on October 22, 2026, with an away game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season, the Jazz struggled, finishing with a 22-60 record and placing 15th in the Western Conference. A significant focus for coach Will Hardy will be addressing the team's defensive inefficiencies, as they conceded an average of 126.0 points per game.
The Grizzlies, who finished 13th last season with a 25-57 record, also seek improvement. This opening game presents an early test for both teams, neither of whom made the postseason in the previous year. Key players such as Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen are expected to improve their defensive performance, which was a notable weakness last season.
The trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah adds a compelling storyline, as he will face his former Memphis team. The performance of the Jazz's frontcourt, with Jusuf Nurkic out and other players day-to-day, will also be under scrutiny. Fans can anticipate a high-paced game, given the volatile past matchups between these two franchises.
