Zion, Queen, and Bey Fuel Pelicans’ Resilient Comeback Win Over Grizzlies 114-106
It hasn’t been a banner year for basketball in the Big Easy, but on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center, the New Orleans Pelicans gave their faithful a glimpse of what happens when the collective engine is firing on all cylinders. Facing a Memphis Grizzlies squad battered by injuries, New Orleans overcame a sluggish first half to storm back and secure a 114-106 victory, snapping the visitors’ resolve with a blistering third-quarter performance.
For a team sitting at 13-37, nights like this are about more than just a tick in the win column—they are about pride, development, and proving that the fight hasn’t left the building.
A Three-Headed Monster Emerges for New Orleans
Usually, the headlines in New Orleans start and end with Zion Williamson. And while the star forward was his usual dominant self—bulling his way to 21 points and logging his fourth consecutive game with at least 20—he wasn’t a solo act on Friday.
The Pelicans found offensive symmetry through an unexpected trio. Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen matched each other stride for stride, both dropping a game-high 22 points. Queen, in particular, was a revelation. His touch around the rim and ability to find open space provided a perfect counterweight to Williamson’s gravity-warping presence in the paint. When the defense collapsed on Zion, Queen and Bey were there to punish them.
It was the kind of balanced attack head coach James Borrego has been searching for during a season defined by inconsistency. Seeing three players eclipse the 20-point mark is a luxury this team hasn’t often enjoyed, but it was necessary to fend off a scrappy Memphis team that refused to go away quietly in the first 24 minutes.
The Third Quarter Avalanche
The game turned on its head coming out of the locker room. Trailing 61-58 at the break, the Pelicans looked like a different team in the third frame. The defensive intensity ramped up, the rotations were crisper, and the shots started falling in bunches.
New Orleans put together a massive 35-15 run in the quarter, effectively burying the Grizzlies before the fourth began. The catalyst? A barrage from deep and stifling defense. Jose Alvarado, known more for his relentless energy and backcourt theft, caught fire from beyond the arc, draining three triples in the period to ignite the crowd.
But it was the defensive end where the game was truly won. The Pelicans held Memphis to their second-lowest scoring quarter of the season. They clogged the passing lanes, contested every jumper, and capitalized on the Grizzlies’ lack of a true floor general. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the third, a three-point deficit had transformed into a commanding 93-76 lead.
Grizzlies Grind to a Halt Without Morant
You have to feel for the Memphis Grizzlies. This is a team trying to tread water while their captain is stuck on dry land. With superstar guard Ja Morant missing his fourth straight game due to a sprained left elbow—and his 25th absence of the season—the offense eventually sputtered.
Without Morant’s ability to break down defenses and create easy looks, Memphis had to rely on a committee approach that worked for a half but couldn’t sustain momentum against the Pelicans’ surge. Cam Spencer and Jaren Jackson Jr. fought valiantly, each chipping in 16 points, while Cedric Coward added 13.
However, the absence of sophomore sensation Zach Edey was glaring. Without the 7-foot-4 center patrolling the paint, Zion Williamson and the New Orleans frontcourt feasted inside. The Grizzlies were outmuscled and outpaced when it mattered most. Coach Tuomas Iisalo noted the disparity in shot attempts post-game, a clear sign of a team struggling to generate efficient offense without its primary ball-handlers.
Looking Ahead
The win improves the Pelicans to 13-37. It’s a small step in a long season, but for the fans in attendance, seeing the team rally from a halftime deficit to dominate the second half was a reminder of the talent still present on this roster.
The Pelicans will look to build on this momentum as it heads to Philadelphia on Saturday night for a tough road test. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies, now 18-28 and losers of five straight, return home to host Minnesota, desperately hoping for good news on the injury front.
For one night, however, the story wasn’t about who was missing. It was about who showed up. And for the Pelicans, everyone who stepped on the floor made it count.
