Saddiq Bey erupted for 36 points — including 19 in the fourth quarter — as the New Orleans Pelicans stormed back from a double-digit second-half deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 133–127 on Friday night.
Trey Murphy III added 32 points and Zion Williamson powered his way to 24 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, which snapped a three-game losing streak and finally broke through against a Memphis team that had won six straight in the series.
The Pelicans trailed by as many as 13 in the second half and entered the fourth quarter down eight, but the momentum flipped as Williamson repeatedly attacked the rim against smaller defenders and Bey caught fire from all three levels. The duo spearheaded a late surge that erased Memphis’ lead and swung control to New Orleans.
Memphis briefly reclaimed the edge when Jaren Jackson Jr. scored inside to make it 123–122, but Zion answered with a three-point play and Bey followed with a clutch 3-pointer to put the Pelicans back in front for good.
Jackson led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Jock Landale posted 24 points and 11 boards. Cam Spencer chipped in 21 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Memphis built its advantage with blistering offense to open the second half, converting 12 of its first 16 shots and all six of its 3-point attempts to take a 101–93 lead into the fourth. The Grizzlies had gone into halftime up 65–60 behind strong interior scoring from Jackson and Landale.
The loss dropped Memphis to five defeats in its last seven games. The Grizzlies again played without Ja Morant, who sat out with a left elbow UCL strain amid increasing trade speculation after returning for the previous two games following a six-game absence.
Despite the win, New Orleans remains at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while Memphis sits just outside the play-in picture.
Up next:
The Pelicans continue their three-game road trip Sunday at San Antonio. The Grizzlies return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
