Ty Jerome exploded back onto the court, showcasing immediate impact and offensive prowess. His assertive play offered a glimpse of stability for the shorthanded Grizzlies.
Ty Jerome wasted no time reminding the Memphis Grizzlies what they have been missing. The guard’s long-awaited regular-season debut Friday night did not come quietly or cautiously. Instead, it opened with a statement: an isolation at the top of the arc against one of the league’s most imposing defenders, a sudden burst past him, and a smooth finish at the rim. It was Jerome’s first live action since October, and within seconds it was clear he had not returned simply to occupy minutes.
The Grizzlies, shorthanded again and staring down another difficult night, leaned into Jerome early. He scored on the team’s first two possessions before signaling for relief, handing the ball off and catching his breath as the pace and physicality reintroduced themselves.
Jerome acknowledged afterward that the opening stretch tested him.
“That first five minutes was rough, but then I got my second wind and I got my legs up under me a little bit,” Jerome said. “I felt pretty good for the most part.”
Even as Memphis fell 131-114 to Minnesota at FedExForum, its sixth straight loss, Jerome stood apart from the result. With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, the Grizzlies lacked their usual sources of creation and stability. Jerome provided both in just 20 minutes, finishing with 20 points and six assists while shooting 6-for-12 from the floor.
The performance was efficient, assertive, and controlled — especially notable given the circumstances. Jerome did not shy away from initiating offense, navigating pick-and-rolls, or operating off the ball when the defense shifted. For a team that has struggled to consistently bend defenses amid injuries at the point guard spot, his presence changed the rhythm.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Jerome will continue to be managed carefully, with his workload capped around 20 minutes as he builds back from a high-grade right calf strain.
“Ty is definitely that guy,” Iisalo said. “He’s been that guy throughout his career.”
Iisalo’s confidence stems from what the coaching staff envisioned when Memphis signed Jerome to a three-year deal last summer. His versatility — the ability to create advantages with or without the ball — was a key factor, and Friday offered a glimpse of how that skill set can stabilize an uneven rotation.
Jerome’s return was not sudden. He spent more than two weeks practicing before being cleared, gradually progressing to five-on-five work. The ramp-up, he said, was deliberate and demanding.
“They did a great job of getting me ready, giving me game looks and real hard defense,” Jerome said. “It was a ramp-up for sure. Keep the body right, keep the mind right. I was just excited to get back on the floor.”
That preparation included intense sessions against teammates who pushed him physically in the days leading up to the game, mirroring the speed and contact he would face once the lights came on.
The injury itself lingered long enough to test patience. Jerome described calf strains as unpredictable, the kind that require restraint as much as rehab. Memphis took a cautious approach, determined not to risk a setback.
“That injury was kind of out of my control,” Jerome said. “It was a freak injury. A bad misstep, but shoutout to Eric Oetter, our trainer. He was great during my rehab process. Really helped me get right.”
Jerome emphasized that his return does not signal an endpoint.
“We’re just going to continue on that path,” he said. “It don’t stop now that I’ve played a game. Every day is the same mindset. Just keep working forever.”
For a Grizzlies team still searching for traction, the standings offered little relief. But Jerome’s return provided something else — proof of concept. In a season defined by absences and instability, his first night back delivered a clear message: even in limited minutes, his impact is real.