Ja Morant Last Second Shot For Grizzlies Snaps Pelicans Winning Streak

The Pelicans lose on a game-winning shot by Ja Morant, snapping their four-game winning streak.

New Orleans, LA - Ja Morant returned from suspension in a major way to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 115-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The loss snaps a four-game winning streak the Pels had previously. Fans all over the country tuned in to see Morant's return in New Orleans, and he didn't disappoint.

The National TV audience prepared for a highly anticipated matchup between the Top 2 picks in the 2019 NBA draft. Ja Morant played in his first game this season after serving a 25-game suspension from the NBA. Since entering the NBA together, these two have played just seven times in the same game together. Unfortunately for fans, Williamson picked up two fouls in under two minutes and sat on the bench for the remainder of the quarter.

Morant was rusty to start the game, scoring three points in his first action. Both teams struggled to shoot early in the game, with New Orleans shooting 26% in the quarter. Memphis outscored the Pelicans 14-8 in the paint and outrebounded New Orleans 17-12. The Grizzlies led 25-21 heading into the second period.

Zion returned to game action but picked up a controversial offensive foul with seven minutes to go before halftime. Coach Willie Green challenged the call, but a video review upheld the call on the floor. Williamson sat at the 7:33 mark, and would not return. The call seemed to spark the New Orleans offense as they went on a 23-0 run, led by CJ McCollum's 12 points in the quarter. The lead was 53-31 before Ja Morant'a floater ended the drought. A late three-point shot by Vince Williams Jr cut the halftime deficit to 60-41 for the Grizzlies.

Dec 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks to pass against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Herbert Jones (5) during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Ja Morant shook off the rust from his first-half performance to score 13 third-quarter points. The Grizzlies cut the Pelicans' lead down to eight points during a stretch of a 15-4 run, before a late Herb Jones layup put the Pels up by ten after three-quarters of play. Brandon Ingram scored 15 points to keep pace with Morant's output. New Orleans led 87-77 with one quarter to go.

The offense for the Pelicans went stagnant, and Memphis took advantage. Neither Brandon Ingram nor Zion Williamson scored a point for the first six minutes of the quarter. Morant continued to attack but got help from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson, Jr. The trio cut the Pels lead down to one point with three minutes remaining. New Orleans had two opportunities to take a lead late, but CJ McCollum missed two long three-point shots. With the score tied at 113, Memphis put the ball in the hands of their superstar and he delivered.

Morant made an acrobatic layup as time expired to give Memphis a 115-113 victory. The many Grizzlies faithful who traveled to New Orleans erupted in celebration at the final basket. Brandon Ingram did all he could for New Orleans, scoring 34 points. Zion Williamson struggled down the stretch as he made little impact in the fourth quarter. Williamson scored two points with zero rebounds and zero assists. 

New Orleans heads on the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday before heading home for five straight home games. Tuesday's loss drops the Pelicans home record to 9-5 on the season.