In a thrilling summer league contest, the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies traded blows throughout the entire fourth quarter without yielding. However, after 40 minutes of regulation, the game headed into overtime.
With the score knotted at 95 and victory hanging in the balance, Keyonte George took charge. He drew a foul on Memphis’ Zach Edey with a strong drive to the basket and calmly sank two free throws. The Delta Center erupted in celebration as Utah clinched a 97-95 victor
“It wasn’t the smoothest game, but I’m really pleased with our defensive effort. We’ve been emphasizing competitiveness on defense,” remarked Jazz summer league head coach Sean Sheldon in his postgame comments. “The team showed resilience. There were moments where we could have folded, but we didn’t. Kudos to our veterans and especially to Keyonte for stepping up and delivering those crucial free throws. It’s a significant moment for a second-year player”.
Before the overtime excitement unfolded, Utah appeared on the brink of needing a miraculous comeback as they erased a late five-point deficit to take a 90-88 lead with less than three seconds remaining. However, Memphis’ 7-foot-4 rookie center Zach Edey extended the game by tipping in a missed free throw with under a second left, tying the score at 90.
In contrast to regular season rules, summer league regulations dictate that the first team to reach 97 points in overtime wins. Utah quickly gained a 3-0 advantage with a dunk from Walker Kessler and a free throw by Taylor Hendricks. Kessler also made a crucial block on defense against Zach Edey’s attempted dunk. Memphis responded as GG Jackson II scored five consecutive points to give the Grizzlies a 95-93 lead.
Utah countered to tie the score at 95 when Keyonte George assisted Isaiah Collier for a fast-break layup. The ensuing minutes were marked by intense defensive efforts from both sides, with each team securing multiple stops until George’s decisive game-winning play.
Speaking to the media on Saturday afternoon, George expressed his readiness for the summer league to showcase his improved game. He emphasized how he has adjusted his pace and become more adept at controlling the tempo, confidently finding his scoring positions across the court.
After Monday’s game, it’s evident that George’s confidence was well-founded. He stood out as one of the top performers, scoring a game-high 30 points while also contributing four rebounds and four assists. His impact was crucial in keeping Utah competitive, particularly in the first half where he scored 20 points and consistently delivered when the Jazz needed pivotal baskets. Remarkably, he converted 17 of 19 free throw attempts.
While it remains uncertain how frequently George will play for the remainder of the summer, his performance on Monday night suggests that the upcoming season promises excitement.
“Entering the game in my first year, I definitely had nerves,” George recalled about his debut in Salt Lake City last year. “But now, it almost feels routine. I go home, rest, eat, then come here and prepare for the game. Once on the court, I shook off some rust playing in an NBA arena again, but I felt very comfortable.”
During the opening night of the Salt Lake City summer league, Utah’s enthusiastic fanbase remained fully engaged throughout the Jazz’s entire game against Memphis. They cheered loudly for impressive dunks, voiced their frustrations over missed calls to the officials, and enthusiastically supported the team’s young talent.
The game itself was a competitive back-and-forth affair, with Memphis taking an early lead and successfully fending off numerous Utah comeback attempts in the first half. The first 20 minutes featured intense moments, including verbal exchanges between George, Collier, and Memphis’ bench, resulting in double technical fouls on George and Edey.
The incident seemed to fuel both teams, as the second half saw an increase in intensity.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, George expressed his excitement: “It felt incredible. I knew the fans would be here, but they exceeded expectations,” he remarked. “Experiencing this atmosphere, I’m grateful for the opportunity to play again, especially here in Salt Lake City in front of our amazing fans. I’ll never take it for granted.”
Sheldon’s lineup for the opening night was largely as expected, with George and Kessler (who contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and five blocks) starting alongside Hendricks (eight points, five rebounds) and Brice Sensabaugh (15 points, six rebounds). Both George and Kessler had started multiple games during the regular season for the Jazz, while Hendricks and Sensabaugh had strong finishes to the season.
The fifth starting position was filled by rookie Cody Williams, the Jazz’s 10th overall draft pick last month, who finished with six points and five assists.
Off the bench, rookies Collier and Kyle Filipowski were pivotal, entering the game early and making key contributions. Filipowski displayed confidence and playmaking skills throughout the night, while Collier, after a slow start, excelled in the third quarter and ended with 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 29 minutes. Kenny Lofton Jr. and Darius Bazley completed the nine-man rotation.
Notably, Sheldon opted for a lineup of George, Kessler, Hendricks, Collier, and Bazley in the closing minutes of both regulation and overtime.
Sheldon’s lineup on opening night featured few surprises, with George and Kessler (10 points, six rebounds, five blocks) starting alongside Hendricks (eight points, five rebounds) and Brice Sensabaugh (15 points, six rebounds). George and Kessler had seen multiple starts during the regular season for the Jazz, while Hendricks and Sensabaugh finished the season strong.
The fifth starting position was filled by rookie Cody Williams, selected 10th overall in last month’s draft, who contributed six points and five assists.
Off the bench, fellow rookies Collier and Kyle Filipowski made immediate impacts. Filipowski displayed comfort and skill throughout the game, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Collier, despite a slow start, had a standout third quarter, playing a pivotal role in the team’s comeback with 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 29 minutes. Kenny Lofton Jr. and Darius Bazley completed the nine-man rotation.
Notably, Sheldon opted for a closing lineup of George, Kessler, Hendricks, Collier, and Bazley in the crucial final minutes of both regulation and overtime
.Utah’s next game is scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against Oklahoma City, while Memphis will play Philadelphia at 5 p.m. The Jazz will conclude their participation in the Salt Lake City summer league with a game against Philadelphia on Wednesday night at 7 p.m., with the Thunder and Grizzlies facing off at 5 p.m.
Following the Salt Lake City league, the Jazz will travel to Las Vegas for the summer league, where they are slated to play four games over six days. Their first game in Las Vegas will be on Saturday night against Dallas.
