MEMPHIS — Ty Jerome scored 45 points Wednesday night, forcing NBA fans, analysts, and several opposing coaching staffs to urgently Google who Ty Jerome was and why nobody had warned them.
The Memphis Grizzlies guard shot 17-for-25, buried five three-pointers, and added seven rebounds and six assists in a 123–103 demolition of Utah.
His 45 points set a franchise opening-night record, surpassing the previous mark of 44 held by Ja Morant, whom Memphis traded to Portland this offseason.
Apparently, the Grizzlies had been hiding a better opening-night scorer in plain sight.
"Who's Ty Jerome?" one fictional Western Conference scout reportedly asked.
"He's been in the NBA since 2019," his assistant replied.
"Okay, but who's the other Ty Jerome?"
There wasn't another one.
Jerome had played for five NBA franchises and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting with Cleveland in 2025. He appeared in just 15 games last season because of injuries, apparently spending the remaining time downloading the entire offensive skill set of prime Stephen Curry.
His performance included a 33-foot three-pointer from near the Memphis logo, prompting Grizzlies fans to chant "MVP" and several fantasy basketball managers to investigate whether their leagues permitted retroactive waiver claims.
Even Utah's Jaren Jackson Jr., returning to Memphis after eight seasons with the franchise, had his homecoming completely hijacked by a man who had previously scored 33 points at most in an NBA game.
The Grizzlies entered opening night wondering how to replace Ja Morant.
**Forty-five points later, the rest of the NBA was wondering why Memphis hadn't tried Ty Jerome sooner.**
