NEW ORLEANS — In a thrilling matchup, Ja Morant shone with 32 points to drive the Memphis Grizzlies past the New Orleans Pelicans, securing a 107-104 victory on Sunday night. Teammate Desmond Bane further bolstered the team with an impressive 30 points.
Morant’s dynamic play included six assists and three steals, aiding the Grizzlies in overcoming a 64-57 deficit at halftime. Trey Murphy III spearheaded the Pelicans’ effort with a strong performance, scoring 27 points. Additionally, Karlo Matkovic contributed solidly with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
As the game approached its climax, Morant missed a crucial free throw but redeemed himself by landing the subsequent one with a mere 6.2 seconds remaining, extending Memphis’s lead to three points. The Pelicans’ last-minute attempts to tie and push the game to overtime fell short as both Jose Alvarado and Kelly Olynyk missed their three-point shots.
A pivotal moment came with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter when Morant hit a jump shot that placed the Grizzlies ahead at 98-97, a lead they maintained until the end. A notable aspect of the night was the Grizzlies’ dominance in rebounding, outmatching the Pelicans 57 to 39.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, kicking off a four-game stretch at home. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will square off against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, seeking to bounce back from their narrow defeat.
