Ty Jerome set a franchise record for a season opener with 45 points in the Grizzlies’ lopsided win over Utah on Wednesday, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal details in a subscriber-only story. The eighth-year guard, whose previous career high was 33 points, shot 17-of-25 from the field while also contributing seven rebounds and six assists in just 32 minutes.

Jerome received MVP chants from the Memphis crowd, a stark difference from last season, when he didn’t make his debut until January due to a calf strain.

“It’s a cool moment,” Jerome said. “I was just really pleased with the crowd tonight. Opening night, I had no idea what to expect. Last year, given the circumstances, we didn’t have a lot of packed houses by the time I was back playing. It was really cool to see that place packed and the fans into it. That’s going to help us a lot at home.”

Although Jerome only made 15 appearances last season, he was highly efficient and productive in a small sample size, averaging 19.7 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .474/.420/.875 shooting in just 22.6 minutes per game. Jerome’s teammates weren’t surprised by Wednesday’s performance after competing with and against him throughout the offseason, Cole writes.

“Crazy, but I feel like I expected it,” said Scotty Pippen Jr., who called Jerome “one of the most efficient three-level scorers I’ve played with.” “I’ve seen it every day in practice. The way he shoots the ball, the way he gets to his spots. Every time he was making those shots, I’ve seen him making them.”

Here’s more from Memphis:

• Cameron Boozer, the third overall pick in June’s draft, shot just 2-of-15 from the field in his regular season debut, finishing with seven points. But the rookie power forward also recorded 11 rebounds and five assists, and was a game-high plus-32 in 33 minutes, writes Jonah Dylan of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required).
• Second-year wing Cedric Coward is coming off a strong 2025/26 campaign in which he finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting and earned a spot on the All-Rookie first team. However, Coward — who had seven points, seven rebounds and two assists Wednesday — is dealing with a left wrist sprain and is considered doubtful to play in Friday’s contest at Golden State, the Grizzlies announced (via Twitter).
• On a brighter note, big man Isaiah Stewart has been listed as questionable for Friday’s game after sitting out Wednesday’s opener with a left ankle sprain. Stewart, who was acquired from Detroit in an offseason trade, suffered the injury during the preseason. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said prior to Wednesday’s opener — when Stewart was doubtful — that the 25-year-old was “doing well” and was in “very good spirits.”