BREAKING: Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Derrick Rose Status For Grizzlies-Pelicans, 12/26

Zion Williamson's and Ja Morant's status update for the Memphis Grizzlies versus New Orleans Pelicans game on Dec. 26.

Ahead of the Dec. 26 rematch between the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, an update on the game status for Zion Williamson and Ja Morant.  The young stars will be in the lineup, but Memphis will be without Derrick Rose and John Kochar is questionable dealing with an illness.   

The full set of starters will be available for New Orleans: Williamson, Ingram, McCollum, Jones, and Valanciunas.

New Orleans lost a nail-biter to the Houston Rockets on Saturday evening at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans welcome a Memphis Grizzlies team on a season-high three-game winning streak since Ja Morant's return from suspension. Morant's buzzer-beater in New Orleans on Dec. 19 started a two-game skid for the Pelicans.

Tonight's rematch has a Pelicans team that is under fire after the postgame remarks by head coach Willie Green and star forward Zion Williamson. Pundits are questioning the team's performance in the Rockets game wondering if they can rebound with toughness and be clutch down the stretch in contests.

Dec 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and forward David Roddy (21) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES vs. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

GAME INFO

• Teams: New Orleans Pelicans (17-13) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (9-19)
• Game: Regular Season Game #31 • Home Game #16
• Venue: Smoothie King Center • New Orleans, LA
• Date/Time: Dec. 26, 2023 • 7:00 PM (CT)
• TV: Bally Sports • Radio: WRNO 99.5 FM
• Streaming: Live Streaming for a free trial on FuboTV
• Officials: Mitchell Ervin (#27), JB DeRosa (#22), Brandon Schwab (#86)
• Uniforms: Grizzlies - Beale Street Blue Statement Edition vs. Pelicans - Black & Neon 2023-24 City Edition

PELICANS INJURY REPORT - 12/26/2023

QUESTIONABLE

• Cody Zeller (right ankle, sprain)

OUT

• Matt Ryan (right elbow, soreness)
• Larry Nance, Jr (Rib Contusion)

GRIZZLIES INJURY REPORT - 12/26/2023

QUESTIONABLE

• Marcus Smart (left foot, sprain)
• John Kochar (illness)

OUT

• Derrick Rose (left hamstring, strain)
• Steven Adams (right knee, PCL surgery)
• Brandon Clarke (left Achilles, tendon repair)
• GG Jackson Jr. ( G League)
• Luke Kennard (left knee, bone bruise)
• Jake LaRavia (G League)

Last Game Starters

New Orleans Pelicans

• CJ McCollum
• Herb Jones
• Brandon Ingram
• Zion Williamson
• Jonas Valanciunas

Memphis Grizzlies

• Ja Morant
• Vince Williams Jr.
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
• Bismack Biyombo
• Desmond Bane