MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies triumphed over the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 139-126. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a standout performer, contributing 29 points to the victory, with 15 of those coming in a strong third quarter. Desmond Bane also impressed, delivering 20 points along with 14 assists, while Luke Kennard added 27 points, hitting an impressive 7 of 9 from beyond the arc.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, were led by Dejounte Murray, who scored 26 points. Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum both contributed 22 points, with Jordan Hawkins adding 20. New Orleans took a solid lead into halftime, up 71-62 due in large part to the strong performances of their backcourt, specifically Murray and McCollum, who combined for 32 points in the first half.

This game held significance as it showcased potential talent from the 2019 NBA draft, featuring Zion Williamson, who was selected first by the Pelicans, and Ja Morant, the second overall pick by the Grizzlies. Unfortunately for fans, both players were unavailable for this matchup, as Williamson is still working on his conditioning while Morant is recovering from an illness.

Takeaways from the game indicate that while the Pelicans’ backcourt excelled in the first half, they were unable to maintain their lead as the Grizzlies dominated the final two quarters, outscoring New Orleans 77-55.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred early in the fourth quarter when the Pelicans narrowed the deficit to six points. However, Memphis responded with an explosive 15-5 run, establishing their largest lead of the game at 5:25 remaining.

On a statistical note, Luke Kennard has been on fire from three-point range, making 14 out of 20 attempts across his last two games.

Looking ahead, both teams will face a quick turnaround as they play again on Saturday. The Pelicans will travel to Charlotte, while the Grizzlies will host Utah in their next contest.