In a thrilling matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies, the Pelicans emerged victorious with a final score of 96-87.
Let’s break down the key players, stats, and moments that defined this intense game.
New Orleans Pelicans
Starters
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| H. Jones | 17 | 9 | 1 | 3 |
| B. Ingram | 16 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Z. Williamson | 14 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| C. McCollum | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| J. Valanciunas | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Bench
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| J. Alvarado | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| T. Murphy III | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| L. Nance Jr. | 8 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
| N. Marshall | 5 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| C. Zeller | – | – | – | – |
| M. Hill | – | – | – | – |
| M. Ryan | – | – | – | – |
| J. Hawkins | – | – | – | – |
| D. Daniels | – | – | – | – |
| E. Liddell | – | – | – | – |
| J. Robinson-Earl | – | – | – | – |
| D. Seabron | – | – | – | – |
Total: 96 PTS, 49 REB, 21 AST, 18 PF
Memphis Grizzlies
Starters
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| J. Jackson Jr. | 22 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| V. Williams Jr. | 12 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| S. Aldama | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| S. Pippen Jr. | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| J. Konchar | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Bench
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| L. Kennard | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Y. Watanabe | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| L. Stevens | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| T. Jemison | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| D. Rose | – | – | – | – |
| M. Smart | – | – | – | – |
| B. Clarke | – | – | – | – |
| S. Harrison | – | – | – | – |
| D. Bane | – | – | – | – |
| J. Morant | – | – | – | – |
| J. Gilyard | – | – | – | – |
| G. Jackson | – | – | – | – |
| J. Nowell | – | – | – | – |
| M. Hurt | – | – | – | – |
| J. LaRavia | – | – | – | – |
| T. Evbuomwan | – | – | – | – |
| Z. Williams | – | – | – | – |
Total: 87 PTS, 36 REB, 28 AST, 17 PF
Standout Performances
The Pelicans’ success was largely due to strong performances from several key players:
- Herbert Jones: Led the team with 17 points and 9 rebounds
- Brandon Ingram: Added 16 points, including crucial late-game buckets
- Zion Williamson: Contributed 14 points to the team’s total
- CJ McCollum: Chipped in with 11 points
On the Grizzlies’ side, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 points.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The game was a tale of two halves, with the Pelicans dominating early but facing a late surge from the Grizzlies:
1. First Half: New Orleans built a 14-point lead by halftime (61-47)
2. Third Quarter: Pelicans extended their lead to 25 points
3. Fourth Quarter: Memphis mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to just 5 points
Grizzlies’ Resilience
Despite their ninth straight loss, the Grizzlies showed remarkable fight:
- A 25-7 run spanning the third and fourth quarters
- Yuta Watanabe, a trade deadline pickup, provided a spark with 11 points
- Vince Williams Jr. and Luke Kennard each contributed 12 points
Pelicans’ Struggle and Triumph
The Pelicans faced challenges in the fourth quarter:
- Shot just 1 of 12 from the field at one point
- Saw their lead shrink to 90-85 with three minutes left
However, they managed to hold on, showcasing their ability to win under pressure.
Key Stats
Some notable statistics from the game:
- Pelicans outrebounded the Grizzlies 49-37
- New Orleans’ bench played a crucial role in building the initial lead
- Memphis’ makeshift lineup showed promise, with players like Lamar Stevens (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks) making an impact
What’s Next?
Both teams have upcoming games:
- Pelicans: Face the Wizards on Wednesday
