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Jazz at Grizzlies — Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
📍 FedExForum — Memphis, TN
⏰ 8:00 p.m. ET
📺 FDSSE / KJZZ / NBA League Pass Fox Sports 1400+1
A late-season Western Conference matchup kicks off Friday night in Memphis as the Utah Jazz (8-15) make the short trip to take on the Memphis Grizzlies (11-13). Both teams are still searching for consistency, but this one carries added intrigue thanks to injury developments, roster shakeups and roster depth battles that could define how this stretch of the schedule unfolds.
Grizzlies: Morant Debut & Edey Loss
Memphis enters this game riding better form than its record suggests — the Grizzlies have won 7 of their last 10 games as they’ve leaned on a deep rotation and spacing from unexpected contributors. StatMuse
However, big-man Zach Edey will miss the next month with a stress reaction in his left ankle, a setback for the 7-foot-3 center who had been a key rim protector and rebounder. Reuters
The biggest storyline for Memphis, though, is Ja Morant’s potential return. After missing nearly a month with a calf strain, Morant has been practicing fully and is questionable but expected to play — a seismic shift for a team that has had to lean on players like Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer to carry the offense in his absence. Reuters+1
If Morant suits up, his dynamic scoring and playmaking — he’s averaging about 18 points and 7.6 assists in 2025 — immediately make the Grizzlies a different offensive animal. RotoWire
Jazz: Young Talent Looking Up
Utah’s been a season of growing pains. The Jazz are below .500 and still finding their identity, blending young talent and role players around leading scorer Lauri Markkanen. ESPN.com
Markkanen has been Utah’s anchor when available, and his ability to stretch the floor will be a key matchup challenge for a Grizzlies defense that lacks Edey’s size edge inside. The Jazz will also look for scoring punch from emerging wings and role players to offset Memphis’s athleticism.
On the other end, Utah has dealt with its own injury woes (including season-ending absence for Walker Kessler), but at least Markkanen has been active and ready to carry a heavy load. Blazer’s Edge
Matchup Angles to Watch
✔ Morant’s Impact
If he plays, the tempo goes up for Memphis. Morant’s ability to draw help and create offense could exploit mismatches against a Jazz roster still searching for defensive continuity.
✔ Utah’s Need for Efficient Offense
Utah can’t afford stagnant possessions. Finding quick scoring through Markkanen and spacing around him makes them tougher to defend in transition and in secondary actions.
✔ Grizzlies Without Edey
Memphis will mix lineups to cover Edey’s absence. Look for more small-ball sets and pick-and-roll heavy offense with Morant, Spencer and Wells handling primary duties.
Prediction Snapshot
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Current Records: Grizzlies slightly ahead in the loss column. StatMuse
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Injury Watch: Morant questionable (likely), Edey out ~4 weeks; Jazz relying on Markkanen. Reuters+1
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Odds & Expectations: Memphis enters as a modest favorite at home. Fox Sports 1400
This game could turn on Morant’s availability and early effectiveness. If he’s in rhythm and Utah can’t control transition, Memphis may pull away. If Morant is limited or ineffective, expect a tighter halfcourt battle where Utah’s spacing and Markkanen’s jump shot keep the Jazz competitive into the fourth.