Grizzlies Take the Series, Pelicans Left Staring at the Abyss
Well, that's that. The Memphis Grizzlies just flat-out owned the New Orleans Pelicans in this mid-March series, wrapping it up 4-1 with a decisive 118-105 win in Game 5 at FedExForum. Anyone who thought the Pelicans were turning a corner after their strong February run needs to re-evaluate. This series exposed some real cracks in Willie Green's foundation.
Ja Morant, as he so often does, was the conductor of this Memphis orchestra. He dropped 32 points and dished out 11 assists in the clincher, making it look effortless. Desmond Bane wasn't far behind, adding 24 points on efficient shooting, including four crucial threes in the second half that kept the Pelicans at arm's length. That backcourt is a problem for anyone.
Here's the thing: New Orleans started Game 5 with some fight. Zion Williamson, who had been relatively quiet in Games 3 and 4, came out aggressive, scoring 12 points in the first quarter alone. But the Grizzlies' defense, particularly their ability to switch everything and contest shots, slowly suffocated that early energy. By halftime, Memphis had built a 10-point lead, 60-50, and it felt like the air went out of the Pelicans' balloon.
Memphis's Defensive Masterclass and Morant's Magic
Look, Taylor Jenkins had his Grizzlies playing suffocating defense all series, not just in Game 5. They held the Pelicans to under 43% shooting from the field in three of the five games. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a menace in the paint, averaging over 3 blocks per game in the series, including a crucial rejection on Brandon Ingram's drive in the fourth quarter of Game 5 that effectively ended any comeback hopes. Jackson's DPOY candidacy just got another boost.
But the real story, as always, was Morant. He wasn't just scoring; he was controlling the pace, making timely passes, and generally being a headache for CJ McCollum. You could see the frustration building for McCollum, who shot just 6-for-18 in the final game. Morant's ability to explode to the rim or pull up for a mid-range jumper kept the Pelicans' defense guessing all series long. He's simply on another level right now, playing like an MVP candidate.
Green tried to mix things up defensively against Morant, throwing Herbert Jones at him for stretches, then trying McCollum, even a bit of Dyson Daniels. None of it worked consistently. Morant found ways to exploit every mismatch, every hesitation. He finished the series averaging 29.8 points and 9.2 assists. That's elite production against a team fighting for its playoff life.
Pelicans' Fading Playoff Hopes and What's Next
This 4-1 series loss is a brutal blow for the Pelicans. They entered March clinging to a play-in spot, and this kind of thorough defeat against a direct Western Conference rival just pushes them further down the standings. They're now 32-37, looking up at a few teams. Morale has to be low. Williamson, despite his flashes, couldn't consistently dominate. Ingram was good in spurts but disappeared in others. The consistency just isn't there for this New Orleans squad.
My hot take? The Pelicans need to seriously consider a shake-up this summer if they miss the playoffs again. This core, while talented, hasn't proven it can win consistently. They've invested heavily in Williamson and Ingram, but the results just aren't materializing. Green's job might even be on the line if things don't turn around quickly in the final month of the season.
For Memphis, this series solidifies their position as a legitimate contender. They're now 45-24, firmly entrenched in the top four of the West. They look healthy, cohesive, and dangerous. The Grizzlies are playing with a swagger that few teams possess, and it starts with Morant. They've got a tough road trip coming up, facing the Bucks and then the Celtics, which will be a real test of their championship aspirations.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, head home for a critical stretch against the Spurs and then the Lakers. If they can't string together some wins there, the season might as well be over. They need a miracle run, and frankly, after this series, I don't see it happening.
Bold Prediction: The Memphis Grizzlies will finish as a top-two seed in the Western Conference and reach the Conference Finals this season.