That was a playoff game, plain and simple. Even in March 2026, with the Western Conference standings tighter than a drum, the Grizzlies and Pelicans went at it like it was Game 7. Memphis walked out of the Smoothie King Center with a hard-fought 2-1 series lead, a 108-103 victory that felt more like a street fight than a basketball game.
Look, the Pelicans had their chances. They were up by nine points midway through the third quarter, 72-63, after a Brandon Ingram jumper. The crowd was absolutely buzzing. But then the wheels started to wobble, and Memphis, like they always do, found another gear.
Morant's Magic and Memphis' Grit
When the game gets tight, Ja Morant usually delivers. And he did, finishing with 34 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds. His back-to-back driving layups in the fourth quarter, the first cutting the lead to one at 94-93 with 4:10 left, and the second putting the Grizzlies up 95-94 a minute later, were pure clutch. He just elevates in those moments. Thing is, the Grizzlies aren't a one-man show anymore. Desmond Bane chipped in 22 points, hitting four big threes, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was a menace on defense with 4 blocks, even if his shot wasn't always falling.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins stuck to his guns, running a lot of high pick-and-roll for Morant and letting him create. When the Pels tried to trap, Morant found Bane spotting up or Jackson rolling to the rim. They didn't reinvent the wheel, but they executed their bread and butter flawlessly in the clutch. Their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, holding New Orleans to just 18 points, was the real difference maker. They forced four turnovers in the final six minutes alone.
Here's the thing: Memphis won this game on the boards, too. They outrebounded the Pelicans 48-39, with Steven Adams grabbing 13 himself. Those extra possessions, especially in a game this close, are gold. It's not flashy, but it's winning basketball.
Pelicans' Missed Opportunity
For New Orleans, this one stings. Zion Williamson had a relatively quiet night by his standards, finishing with 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting. He just didn't dominate the paint like he usually does, and the Grizzlies did a decent job of sending multiple bodies at him whenever he touched the ball in the post. Brandon Ingram was excellent with 28 points, hitting some tough shots, but he faded a bit in the fourth quarter, only scoring 4 points in the final 12 minutes.
Willie Green's tactical approach felt a little too reliant on individual brilliance. They tried to go small at times, pulling Jonas Valančiūnas in favor of more versatile defenders, but it didn't quite click. They needed more off-ball movement, more crisp passing, and less isolation in the crucial moments. Real talk, the Pelicans needed more from their bench, which only managed 19 points compared to Memphis' 31. Jose Alvarado, usually a spark plug, only played 14 minutes and had 2 points.
The biggest problem? Turnovers. The Pelicans coughed it up 16 times, leading to 21 Grizzlies points. You can't beat a playoff-caliber team doing that, especially when they're as opportunistic as Memphis.
What It Means for Both Sides
This win is huge for Memphis. It pushes them to 42-30 on the season, solidifying their spot in the top six of the Western Conference and giving them a bit of breathing room. They've won five of their last seven, and they look like a team hitting their stride at the right time. The Grizzlies head home for a two-game set against the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers, both winnable games that could further cement their playoff position.
For the Pelicans, now 39-33, this loss drops them a bit in the standings, potentially into play-in territory. They're still a dangerous team, but they're going to need to figure out how to close out these tight games. Their schedule doesn't get any easier, with a road trip to face the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves next week. They need to find a way to get Williamson more involved consistently and cut down on those momentum-killing turnovers.
My hot take? If Zion doesn't assert himself more forcefully in games like this, the Pelicans are going to be stuck battling for a play-in spot, and that's not where a team with his talent should be.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications Loom Large
This series, even just three games in, has shown us a lot about both teams' playoff readiness. Memphis is tough, resilient, and has a superstar who thrives under pressure. New Orleans has talent, but they need to find more consistency, especially in their half-court offense when things get bogged down.
The next time these two teams meet, it could very well be in the first round of the playoffs. And if this game was any indication, that's going to be a series you won't want to miss. For now, the Grizzlies have the bragging rights and the momentum.
Bold Prediction: The Grizzlies will finish as a top-four seed in the West, largely due to their ability to win these grind-it-out, physical games.