Will Hardy Shows Frustration After Jazz Fall To Grizzlies
Mar 25, 2025, 10:50 PM | Updated: Mar 26, 2025, 10:28 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz were blown out by the Memphis Grizzlies 140-103, leading to a frustrated Will Hardy during his post-game availability.
The Jazz led 65-64 at halftime, but were outscored 76-38 in the loss.
Isaiah Collier led the Jazz with 21 points while Desmond Bane also had 21 to lead the Grizzlies.
Game Blog: Jazz Fall At Home To Grizzlies
Will Hardy Exasperated After Loss
Though the Jazz are on pace to finish with the worst record in franchise history, head coach Will Hardy has generally maintained a positive outlook on his team’s development this season.
That optimistic outlook was completely absent from Hardy’s postgame media session as the coach displayed a level of frustration rarely seen in his nearly three-year tenure.
“There’s moments where stubbornness is cute and there’s moments where stubbornness is embarrassing,” Hardy said. “At some point, every person needs to look in the mirror and understand what’s being asked of them and try to do it to the best of their ability.”
The Jazz’s second half presented one of the most lopsided box scores of the season.
Walker Kessler discusses his frustration, and the team’s after the @utahjazz were embarrassed by the Grizzlies in the second half. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/6FjkPWSi3q
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 26, 2025
Not only did the Grizzlies double-up the Jazz’s scoring total in the second half, they were outrebounded 33-8.
“The NBA will stop for no one, and our program will stop for nobody. There needs to be accountability of self first, and everybody on our team needs to understand that opportunity should not be taken lightly,” Hardy added.
Cody Williams, Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh combined to shoot 0-13 in the second half. Isaiah Collier had three turnovers, while Oscar Tshiebwe was the only Jazz player to have more than one rebound over the game’s final 24 minutes.
Though Hardy stopped short of naming individual players, he did call out specific areas where the team was lacking.
“Pass the mother — ball, run back on defense, when it’s time to communicate what we’re doing on defense, you should do it at a volume louder than I’m talking to you right now. When there is a loose ball, you need to want it more than the other team. You are a member of a team. This is not about you. This is not a personal workout for you,” Hardy said.
Through three the @utahjazz trail the @memgrizz 105-82
Jazz outscored 41-17 in the third, arguably their worst quarter of the season. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/fjlcVW8hYm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 26, 2025
The question now becomes what will Hardy do to rectify the issue over the final nine games of the season.
The Jazz are missing several veteran players due to injury, leaving Hardy few avenues in which he can turn to hold the team accountable.
Though his options may be limited this season, he implied Tuesday’s effort might have long-term implications.
“The decisions that have to be made moving forward are much bigger than whether you get to play on Thursday,” Hardy concluded.
How Does Will Hardy Approach Player Development?
The end of the regular season is just nine games away, and the NBA Draft is quickly on its heels.
The Jazz will learn their lottery fate on May 12, and fans will shift into draft-mode, watching highlight tapes and YouTube to see which prospects they like most.
While many will seek to pick apart a player’s weakness, Hardy warns not to forget their strengths.
“We tend to look at a lot of young players from the negative angle and just point out all the things they can’t do,” the Jazz coach said. “And I feel like it’s a big part of our job as a staff and as an organization to help them establish an early identity so they have some confidence.”
Isaiah: 21p | 4a | 3r | 1s | 4 3PM
Collin: 15p | 5a | 3r | 2s
Johnny: 13p | 5a | 1r
Kyle: 13p | 2r | 1s#TakeNote presented by @LVT_USA pic.twitter.com/QdvCibPOqI— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 26, 2025
The same can apply to players already on the Jazz roster.
Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski need to improve defensively. Cody Williams needs to get stronger, and Isaiah Collier needs to become a better shooter, but each of the Jazz’s young players already brings something to the table that has earned them a chance to compete in the NBA.
“You’re trying to help a young player establish an identity,” Hardy added. “I’ve said that to you guys before. When I check in the game tonight, how do I help the team — what is my purpose on the court when I’m out here?”
As amateur scouts begin their draft preparation in the coming weeks, give room to appreciate players without hyperfixating on their weaknesses.
“I always think is so interesting is that most players spend the entire draft process defending themselves,” Hardy finished.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Houston Rockets on Thursday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
