Grizzlies coach pinpoints critical lapse: "We do not do things we agreed to do," revealing a recurring pattern of collapse.
Tuomas Iisalo did not search for complicated explanations after the Memphis Grizzlies let another game slip away.
Instead, the Grizzlies coach distilled the loss — and the larger trend behind it — into a single, pointed observation.
“We do not do things we agreed to do.”
That comment, delivered after Memphis’ 114-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, framed not just one game but a growing problem. The Grizzlies fell to 18-28 and dropped their fifth consecutive game, undone once again by a third-quarter collapse that erased a competitive first half.
Memphis led for much of the opening two quarters and went into halftime with momentum. Within minutes of the second half, that advantage vanished. New Orleans erupted for a 20-2 run and outscored the Grizzlies 35-15 in the third quarter, turning a tight contest into a deficit Memphis never fully recovered from.
Iisalo said the moment was decisive — and familiar.
“It was crucial,” he said.
He explained that the breakdown followed a recurring pattern.
“The ending, it followed the same script we had in the other losses, which is we do not do things we agreed to do, and that is time and time again proving to not be a good solution.”
The Pelicans capitalized on Memphis’ mistakes, scoring 23 points off turnovers and 24 fast-break points. While the Grizzlies finished with a slight rebounding edge, those advantages were erased by lost possessions and defensive lapses. Memphis committed 20 turnovers, many coming during the stretch when New Orleans seized control.
Iisalo did not deflect responsibility to circumstances, even as he acknowledged the challenges facing his roster.
“I mean 14 offensive rebounds for them and 20 turnovers,” he said. “We’ve handed them in that stretch 34 extra possessions that we’re taking away from ourselves.”
He noted the lack of lineup flexibility but made it clear the expectation remains unchanged.
“We’re at a little bit of a deficit right here in terms of the personnel,” Iisalo said. “I would love to put some bigger guys in there and some guys that can rebound, but we have all our biggest guys on the floor and there is no help coming.”
The message, he said, is simple.
“We have to figure it out with this group and this group only.”
On the floor, Memphis struggled to sustain offensive rhythm once the Pelicans increased pressure. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cam Spencer scored 16 points apiece, but the Grizzlies shot just 29% from 3-point range and failed to match New Orleans’ physicality in the paint, where the Pelicans held a 68-48 scoring advantage.
Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen each scored 22 points for New Orleans, while Zion Williamson added 21. Jose Alvarado’s shooting during the third quarter punctuated the run that broke the game open.
Memphis was again without Ja Morant, who missed his fourth straight game with a sprained left elbow and has now been sidelined for 25 games this season. Without him, the margin for error has narrowed, placing even greater emphasis on execution and discipline.
That, more than effort or energy, was what Iisalo returned to after the loss. The Grizzlies know what they need to do. The challenge now is doing it when the game turns.
Memphis returns home Saturday night to face Minnesota, still searching for a response — and for consistency that matches its intentions.