A double-digit lead evaporated. Costly turnovers and a devastating third-quarter run sealed the Grizzlies' fifth consecutive defeat.
Another promising start dissolved into a familiar ending for the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, as breakdowns in execution and ball security fueled a costly third-quarter collapse.
Memphis led by double digits in the first half before New Orleans seized control with a dominant stretch after halftime, pulling away for a 114-106 win at Smoothie King Center on Jan. 30. The loss dropped the Grizzlies to 18-28 and extended their losing streak to five games, their longest slide of the season.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter, when the Pelicans rattled off a decisive 20-2 run. New Orleans outscored Memphis 35-15 in the period, turning defensive pressure into transition opportunities and extra possessions. The Grizzlies never fully recovered.
Three Pelicans topped the 20-point mark, with Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen scoring 22 apiece. Zion Williamson added 21 points, his fourth straight game with at least 20, as New Orleans improved to 13-37. Herb Jones chipped in 16, while Jose Alvarado hit three 3-pointers during the third-quarter surge that swung the game.
Memphis was led by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cam Spencer, who scored 16 points each. Cedric Coward finished with 13 points and Jock Landale added 12. The Grizzlies shot 43% from the field but struggled from deep, making just 12 3-pointers at a 29.3% clip, while turnovers and rebounding issues erased any margin for error.
Jaylen Wells pointed to self-inflicted mistakes as the game slipped away.
He described how quickly momentum shifted during the Pelicans’ run.
“Yeah, a lot of our own mistakes,” Wells said. “Just shooting ourselves in the foot. Poor execution, turnovers — things that we can fix.”
Wells acknowledged the frustration that comes with knowing the problems are correctable.
“I think it hurts more knowing that you can fix those things,” he said. “But it’s also good knowing that you can fix them.”
The loss also reflected a broader learning curve for a retooled Memphis roster navigating change on the fly.
Wells emphasized patience while balancing accountability.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys playing,” he said. “Obviously it’s not the same team from last year. A lot of different guys, new chemistry, new coaching staff, stuff like that.”
Despite the results, Wells remains optimistic.
“So we know there are going to be ups and downs,” he said. “Obviously we want to win more, but you’ve just got to learn from it. I think the wins will come. Just got to keep sticking with it.”
Coward was direct in assessing his own role in the loss, particularly with ball security.
“It has nothing to do with anything else — you’ve got to play with the guys you’ve got,” Coward said. “If you’re on the court, you’ve got to make an impact.”
He did not shy away from his stat line.
“I can say firsthand, I didn’t have it today, especially in the first half,” Coward said. “Too many turnovers. I started the game with three and ended with five. That’s unacceptable.”
Coward stressed that execution must improve collectively, starting with individual responsibility.
“But it’s about doing the things we practice and the things we’re supposed to do to help us win,” he said. “We’re not doing it consistently enough to come out with these types of games.”
With little time between games, Coward said the focus shifts quickly to correction.
“I think it’s having the mentality that you have to move on, but at the same time you also have to learn,” he said. “For me, I’ll go back and watch the film tonight. I’ve already got my iPad.”
He added that the process is immediate.
“I’ll watch my minutes, see how I did, see the mistakes I made, see what I did well, and then try to translate that into tomorrow.”
Memphis was again without Ja Morant, who missed his fourth consecutive game due to a sprained left elbow. Morant has now sat out 25 games this season, leaving the Grizzlies shorthanded during a difficult stretch.
The schedule offers no pause. Memphis returns home to host Minnesota on Saturday night, searching for a response and a chance to avoid pushing its losing streak beyond five for the first time this season.