“This game today is going to be an embarrassment.” That line, from ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, summed up the mood before the Utah Jazz hosted the Memphis Grizzlies at the Delta Center on Friday, April 10.
With both teams out of playoff contention and a combined 23 players ruled out, what was left barely looked like an NBA matchup. NBA reporters, analysts, and online personalities were ready with sharp jabs and disbelief.
NBA Voices Pile on as Jazz-Grizzlies Matchup Turns Into Tank-Off Spectacle
The Jazz entered the night at 21-59, sitting at the bottom of the West, while the Grizzlies came in at 25-55, also far from postseason contention. With nothing left to play for, both teams leaned into tanking since losing can improve draft lottery odds and help shape the future. Even still, the number of player absences stood out.
Memphis had 14 players ruled out. Utah had nine. That is 23 players sitting, and not end-of-bench guys either. Most of the actual rotation was gone. What was left looked like a mix of rookies, call-ups, and names even regular fans had to double-check.
The Grizzlies rolled out Lucas Williamson, Dariq Whitehead, Toby Okani, Adama Bal and rookie Jahmai Mashack. Utah countered with Kennedy Chandler, Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, Blake Hinson, and Oscar Tshiebwe. Needless to say, if you recognized all 10 without help, that is impressive.
Once those names hit social media, the commentary followed quickly and the NBA world had a field day. Danny Zuko summed it up: “Tank off of the century.”
Rob Perez, widely known as World Wide Wob, took one look at the projected lineups and wrote “sickos only” about anyone who was actually watching this disaster.
Sickos only. pic.twitter.com/WmSeBlaKrN
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 11, 2026
YouTuber James Hansen took a jab on Memphis’ available roster, writing, “I don’t think a single one of these Grizzlies would even start in the G League.”
The X handle, Undaunted, went fully sarcastic with, “The greatest set of starting lineups in NBA history…”
PFSN’s deputy editor Alex Kennedy added: “This might be the craziest injury report I’ve ever seen. There are 23 players ruled out for Jazz-Grizzlies. The sidelined players are earning a combined $251,555,883 this season.”
This might be the craziest injury report I’ve ever seen. There are 23 players ruled out for Jazz-Grizzlies. The sidelined players are earning a combined $251,555,883 this season. pic.twitter.com/CKDIhJsyT3
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 11, 2026
That figure turned the conversation from funny to ridiculous, because nearly $252 million (90%) in salary was sitting out while replacement-heavy groups took the floor.
Before the game, Windhorst dubbed this matchup the tanking Super Bowl, and his prediction was spot on.
“We have arrived at the tanking Super Bowl. I think it merits what we have to watch tonight,” Windhorst said on ESPN. “We’ve worked for months to get here. The teams have worked hard. We have arrived. I give you the Memphis Grizzlies versus the Utah Jazz, a game that nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to win!”
He further explained how a win could hurt each team’s lottery position. Memphis risked losing 7% odds at a top-four pick, while Utah could drop 10%, which added to the unusual stakes surrounding the game.
The NBA’s tanking epidemic has reached a new low, which is why the league has taken steps to address it, including fining the Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for violating player participation policies earlier this season.
There is also increased attention on injury reporting, with the Milwaukee Bucks facing an investigation for sitting Giannis Antetokounmpo, who claims to be healthy enough to play.
Windhorst perfectly summed up the situation: “This game today is going to be an embarrassment, and this game is the epitome of why the NBA is talking about changing the rules involving tanking.”
Windhorst even joked that if a fan showed up in uniform, they might get minutes and a few plays drawn up for them, which doesn’t feel that far off looking at the lineups.
