Ja Morant delivered a stellar performance with 27 points, seven assists, and three steals to help the Memphis Grizzlies secure their first-ever NBA Cup victory, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 on Friday night.
Grizzlies Stay Hot, Pelicans Struggle
Memphis extended its winning streak to five games, improving to 9-3 in its last 12 outings. Meanwhile, the Pelicans dropped their seventh consecutive game, playing without key stars Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (calf soreness).
Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 23 points, and reserve Santi Aldama added a season-high 20 points off the bench for Memphis. Marcus Smart made crucial plays in the fourth quarter, helping the Grizzlies fend off a late Pelicans rally.
For New Orleans, CJ McCollum led with a season-high 30 points. Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III added 21 points each, while Yves Missi recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Dominant Performance from Memphis
The Grizzlies led for most of the game, building a 17-point lead late in the third quarter after two free throws by Jackson. Memphis showcased its league-leading ball movement, recording 22 assists on 28 first-half field goals and finishing with 36 assists on 47 made shots.
Aldama powered a 16-4 run to close the first half with back-to-back 3-pointers and a reverse layup, helping Memphis lead 67-56 at halftime. The Grizzlies shot 53.8% from the field in the first half, with their bench contributing 34 points.
Key Moments in the Fourth Quarter
New Orleans made a late push, trimming the Memphis lead to nine with 5:18 left. However, Smart responded with a left-handed hook shot and a clutch 3-pointer to seal the win for the Grizzlies.
Morant’s return after missing nine of the past ten games due to a left knee injury provided a significant boost.
Looking Ahead
The Grizzlies will aim to continue their winning streak, while the Pelicans hope to regroup and snap their losing streak as they await the return of their injured stars.