Grizzlies 142-111 Pelicans: Memphis overwhelms New Orleans in road rout

The Memphis Grizzlies produced a dominant road performance on November 14, 2026, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 142-111 at Smoothie King Center. Memphis controlled the game from the opening quarter, using transition offense and perimeter shooting to build a lead that only grew larger as the night progressed.

The Grizzlies’ 142-point outing was a clear statement of offensive firepower. New Orleans had no consistent answer for Memphis’s pace, and the Pelicans were forced to chase the game almost from the start.

Match overview

Memphis led 74-53 at halftime after a blistering first half. The Grizzlies pushed the tempo at every opportunity, turning defensive rebounds into quick attacks and forcing New Orleans into uncomfortable matchups. Ja Morant set the tone with aggressive drives, while Jaren Jackson Jr. stretched the floor and protected the rim.

The third quarter offered little relief for the Pelicans. Memphis led 108-82 through three quarters and continued to pour on points in the fourth. New Orleans found some success inside through Zion Williamson, but the Pelicans could not string together enough stops to threaten the Grizzlies’ lead.

Key moments

• Memphis opened the game with a fast-paced run that immediately put New Orleans on its heels.
• The Grizzlies stretched the lead to more than 20 points before halftime behind hot three-point shooting.
• Ja Morant’s transition plays in the third quarter pushed the advantage beyond 25 points.
• Memphis’s bench maintained the intensity in the fourth, closing out the blowout.

Tactical story

Memphis’s speed was the defining feature of the game. The Grizzlies attacked early in the shot clock, moved the ball ahead in transition, and created open corner three-pointers. Defensively, Memphis used its length to contest New Orleans’s interior looks and force turnovers that fueled the fast break.

The Pelicans struggled with spacing against Memphis’s pressure. When New Orleans did find Zion Williamson near the basket, the Grizzlies rotated quickly and forced difficult finishes. Memphis’s rebounding also allowed it to control the tempo, preventing New Orleans from slowing the game down.

Standout players

Ja Morant led Memphis with 27 points and 13 assists, controlling the pace from start to finish. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 25 points and 8 rebounds, while Zach Edey made an impact inside with 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Grizzlies also received strong bench production, a key reason the lead never shrunk in the second half.

New Orleans was led by Zion Williamson, who scored 26 points despite constant defensive attention. Trey Murphy III added 20 points, but the Pelicans’ supporting cast struggled to find consistent offense against Memphis’s aggressive defense.

Season impact

The win strengthens Memphis’s position in the Western Conference and highlights the Grizzlies’ ability to win comfortably away from home. For New Orleans, the loss raises questions about defensive consistency and transition defense. The Pelicans will need a quicker response in their next outing, while Memphis will look to carry the momentum into the rest of its schedule.