Grizzlies, without Morant, beat Jazz, extend win streak to 6

Updated Jan. 8, 2023 8:47 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 24 points and nine assists, Tyus Jones added 21 points and the Memphis Grizzlies, playing without leading scorer Ja Morant, defeated the Utah Jazz 123-118 on Sunday.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and five blocks as Morant was a late scratch with right thigh soreness. That led to Jones running the first unit for Memphis. Jones also had six assists as Memphis won its sixth straight.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 21 points, while Kelly Olynyk added 19 points. Each also had nine rebounds. Jordan Clarkson had 17 points before he was ejected late in the third quarter, and Malik Beasley added 15 points. Rookie Walker Kessler finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.

In addition to Morant, Memphis was without center Steven Adams, sidelined with a non-COVID illness. That took the Grizzlies' leading scorer and top rebounder off the floor.

Utah has struggled of late, losing six of its last seven entering the game. The lone win came against Houston on Thursday when Markkenan scored a career-high 49 points. The sixth-year player out of Finland averaged 34 points his last five games.

A 43-point second quarter that included a 24-9 Memphis rally gave the Grizzlies a 66-52 lead at the half. Despite shooting 51% in the half, Utah was hampered by a dozen turnovers.

Things got testy late in the third quarter when Clarkson was called for a Flagrant 2 against Desmond Bane, leading to Clarkson's ejection. That contributed to Memphis carrying a 98-90 lead. As Clarkson left the court, he encouraged fans to continue their boos directed at the Jazz guard.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Defeated Memphis twice in a two-game set in Salt Lake City in October. ... Kessler, the 22nd pick in the 2022 draft, already matched his career high with five blocks in the first quarter. ... G Collin Sexton missed his fourth game with hamstring injury maintenance. ... Talen Horton-Tucker, who scored 12 points in Saturday's loss to Chicago, sat out with a right ankle sprain.

Grizzlies: Are now 6-0 on the opening night of a back-to-back. ... F Brandon Clarke missed his fourth game with left hip soreness. ... Jackson Jr. has multiple blocks in 10 straight games and 13 of his last 15. ... Bane made his 400th career 3-pointer in the first quarter.

.UP NEXT

Jazz: Host Cleveland on Tuesday.

Grizzlies: Host San Antonio on Monday.

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