Memphis's Mean Streak Ends Pelicans' Season
Well, that's that. The Memphis Grizzlies just slammed the door shut on the New Orleans Pelicans' season, taking Game 5 118-107 and wrapping up their first-round series 4-1. The FedExForum was absolutely rocking, and honestly, the Pels never really stood a chance once Memphis got rolling in the third quarter.
Ja Morant, as usual, was the orchestrator, dropping 35 points and dishing out 10 assists. But it wasn't just Morant. Desmond Bane hit some absolutely crucial shots, finishing with 24 points, including four threes that just deflated New Orleans whenever they tried to make a run. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a defensive menace, recording 5 blocks and altering countless shots, proving why he's still a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
The turning point, I'd argue, came midway through the third. New Orleans had cut the lead to seven, 78-71, after a couple of strong drives from Brandon Ingram. But then Morant hit a ridiculous step-back three over Herb Jones, followed by a Bane steal and a fast-break dunk. Just like that, the lead was back to 12, and the air went out of the Pelicans' sails. It felt like every time New Orleans tried to push, Memphis had an answer, often with a highlight-reel play.
Willie Green's Gambit vs. Taylor Jenkins's Grind
Pelicans coach Willie Green tried everything. He started Dyson Daniels in the second half for defensive energy, hoping to slow down Morant. Daniels did a decent job, forcing a couple of tough shots, but Morant is just too relentless. Green also ran more pick-and-rolls with Zion Williamson as the ball-handler, trying to exploit mismatches. Williamson had a solid night with 28 points and 10 rebounds, but he looked gassed by the fourth quarter, and the Grizzlies' constant double-teams wore him down.
Thing is, Taylor Jenkins's game plan for Memphis was pretty straightforward and incredibly effective: relentless defensive pressure, force turnovers, and let Morant do his thing in transition. They trapped Williamson hard whenever he got near the paint, daring other Pelicans to beat them from outside. CJ McCollum, who had 21 points, shot 2-for-9 from three, which just isn't good enough when your primary scorer is getting stifled.
Memphis also dominated the boards, outrebounding New Orleans 52-41. Steven Adams, despite only scoring 6 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and set some bone-crushing screens that freed up Morant and Bane. That kind of physical dominance, especially in a close-out game, is a huge mental blow to the opponent. It's a classic Grizzlies win: gritty defense, opportunistic offense, and just enough star power to close it out.
Morant's Masterclass and the Pelicans' Future
Man of the Match has to be Ja Morant. He wasn't just scoring; he was controlling the pace, making all the right reads, and elevating his teammates. There were moments in that game where he just decided he was going to take over, like that ridiculous spin move and floater in the lane over Jonas Valančiūnas in the fourth. That's what true superstars do in playoff games.
For the Grizzlies, this series win is massive. It validates their regular season success and shows they're legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. They've got a tough road ahead, likely facing the Denver Nuggets in the second round, but their confidence will be sky-high. They showed they can win ugly, they can win pretty, and they can close out a series.
For the Pelicans, this is a tough pill to swallow. They fought hard, but they just didn't have enough firepower or defensive consistency to match Memphis. Williamson had a good series, but the team around him needs more. McCollum is a solid veteran, but they need another consistent scoring threat who can create their own shot when Williamson is doubled. Their bench also struggled to contribute significant points, which is a major concern.
Real talk: The Pelicans need to figure out their long-term plan around Zion. He's a force, but the team needs more shooting and another reliable playmaker. You can't just rely on him to carry the entire offensive load in the playoffs. They'll have a lot of questions to answer this offseason about roster construction and how to take the next step.
What's Next?
The Memphis Grizzlies will now prepare for what should be an absolute slugfest against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals. That series will test their mettle in a whole new way, facing Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Expect a physical, high-scoring affair.
As for the New Orleans Pelicans, their season is over. They'll head into the offseason with a lot of soul-searching to do. Their immediate task will be to re-evaluate their roster and try to find pieces that better complement Zion and McCollum. They need more two-way players and more shooting if they want to truly contend next year.
Prediction: The Grizzlies will push the Nuggets to six games, but ultimately fall short in the second round.