Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz Summer League Preview

When: Thursday, July 6th, 8:00 PM Central

How to Watch: NBA TV

After a back-and-forth, but still seemingly dominant performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Summer Grizzlies wrap up the Salt Lake Summer League tonight with a chance to go 3-0. After a quiet summer debut, Jake LaRavia had a massive second game with 25 points while Vince Williams Jr. had another solid performance with 18 points and 9 rebounds in the 94-86 win.

In their final Salt Lake City game, the Grizzlies will face the host Utah Jazz. While the Jazz are not a team many expect to compete in the regular season, they have a plethora of young talent that will be on display during the summer. Led by 2023 first round pick Keyonte George, the Jazz feature plenty of talent especially familiar to college fans, with Ochai Agbaji, Vernon Carey Jr. and even Johnny Juzang on the summer roster.

With the Grizz sitting alone atop the leaderboard at 2-0, will they go all-out to become the undisputed, undefeated Salt Lake Summer League champions?

The truth is they probably won’t, and it would be unsurprising to see them rest some of the main contributors from the first two wins. There is still plenty to tune in for, though, as the Grizzlies will have guys fighting for NBA opportunities and giving it their all. Jacob Gilyard, who has recorded an incredible 10 steals in the first two games will likely still see some action, and Matthew Hurt, who showed a nice three-point stroke will get a chance to showcase his skills more, as well.

The main reason to tune in, though, is certainly to watch GG Jackson II. After only playing 11 minutes in Wednesday’s game, Jackson will likely get some extra time to shine tonight. That should have Grizz fans excited, as GG has made the most of his minutes so far and looks primed to impress in an expanded role. He has played well alongside the main contributors like LaRavia, Williams and David Roddy, and he showed an ability to knock down open threes—a beautiful sight for wing-hungry Grizz fans.

Getting to see Jackson play in a more central role will be fun for Memphis fans, as his ability to use his size to create will be a separating skill for the young rookie if he can develop it. He already showed a good feel for the game in the first summer matchup, and if other guys rest heading into Las Vegas Summer League, then he will have the ball in his hands more. While shot creation from the perimeter is obviously welcome, Jackson’s ability to use his size on the interior will be something to look for, as his frame at just 18 years old already looks like it can hang with the big dogs.

A win would be welcomed to cap off a dominating Salt Lake summer performance, but the main attraction for Grizz fans tonight should be the talent they won’t be able to watch as much once the season approaches. There are always some diamonds in the rough at Summer League, and it’s a unique kind of fun to be the among the first to see that young talent shine through. Between the Grizzlies and the Jazz, there are plenty of candidates trying to form themselves into those diamonds, and it should make for a great Salt Lake finale.