Grizzlies Silence Pelicans: Playoff Hopes Dim in Memphis

Grizzlies Dismantle Pelicans in Decisive Series Victory: New Orleans' Postseason Dreams Hanging by a Thread

The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a resounding statement to the Western Conference, dismantling the New Orleans Pelicans 4-1 in their late-March series with a commanding 118-105 victory in Game 5 at FedExForum. What began as a potential turning point for Willie Green's squad—riding momentum from a strong February stretch—devolved into a sobering reality check that has left the Pelicans' playoff aspirations teetering on the brink of collapse.

With this comprehensive series victory, Memphis improved to 44-25 on the season, solidifying their position as the Western Conference's fourth seed and demonstrating the championship-caliber defense and offensive execution that makes them a legitimate threat come playoff time. For New Orleans, now sitting at a precarious 32-37 and occupying the 11th spot in the West, the path forward has narrowed to a razor-thin margin with just 13 games remaining in the regular season.

Morant Orchestrates Memphis Masterpiece with Surgical Precision

Ja Morant continues to build his Most Valuable Player case with performances that blend statistical dominance with winning basketball. His Game 5 clinic—32 points on 12-of-21 shooting, 11 assists, and just two turnovers in 36 minutes—represented the culmination of a series where he averaged 29.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 51.3% from the field. These aren't just empty numbers; they reflect a player operating at the absolute peak of his powers, controlling tempo, exploiting defensive schemes, and making the right play with remarkable consistency.

What separated Morant in this series wasn't merely his explosive athleticism or his ability to finish through contact at the rim—though he converted an impressive 68% of his attempts in the restricted area across the five games. It was his tactical maturity and decision-making that proved devastating. Against New Orleans' switching defense, Morant demonstrated an advanced understanding of when to attack, when to probe, and when to relocate the ball to open shooters.

In the pivotal third quarter of Game 5, with the Pelicans threatening to cut into Memphis's 10-point halftime advantage, Morant orchestrated a 14-2 run almost single-handedly. He scored eight points during that stretch, but more importantly, his penetration collapsed New Orleans' defense on three consecutive possessions, leading to wide-open corner threes for Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard. This is the hallmark of elite point guard play—warping defensive schemes through gravity and threat alone.

Bane Emerges as the Perfect Complement

Desmond Bane's evolution into a legitimate second star has transformed Memphis's offensive ceiling. His 24-point performance in Game 5, featuring 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc and a plus-18 rating in 34 minutes, exemplified his value as both a movement shooter and secondary creator. Across the series, Bane averaged 22.4 points while shooting 44.7% from three-point range on 8.2 attempts per game—volume and efficiency that forces defenses into impossible choices.

The Morant-Bane pick-and-roll has become one of the league's most lethal actions, generating 1.18 points per possession in this series according to Second Spectrum tracking data. When Bane sets the screen, defenses must respect his ability to pop for three, slip to the basket, or re-screen. When he's the ball-handler, his pull-up shooting and passing vision create similar dilemmas. This two-man game accounted for 47 points in Game 5 alone when including assisted baskets.

Memphis's Defensive Identity: Versatility Meets Intensity

While offensive fireworks capture headlines, the Grizzlies' series victory was fundamentally built on defensive excellence. Taylor Jenkins deployed a switching scheme that neutralized New Orleans' offensive strengths, holding the Pelicans to 106.8 points per 100 possessions—well below their season average of 114.2. In three of the five games, New Orleans failed to crack 43% from the field, a testament to Memphis's commitment to contesting every shot and eliminating easy looks.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was the defensive anchor, averaging 3.4 blocks and 1.8 steals per game while defending multiple positions with equal effectiveness. His Game 5 rejection of Brandon Ingram's fourth-quarter drive—a perfectly timed weak-side rotation that erased what would have been a momentum-shifting and-one opportunity—encapsulated his Defensive Player of the Year credentials. Jackson's 7-foot-4 wingspan and improved lateral quickness allow him to protect the rim while also switching onto perimeter players, a rare combination that makes Memphis's defensive scheme functional.

Switching Everything: The Tactical Blueprint

Jenkins's decision to switch virtually every screen action forced New Orleans into uncomfortable isolation situations and disrupted their offensive rhythm. The Pelicans entered the series ranking seventh in the NBA in points per possession off screens (1.09), but Memphis limited them to just 0.91 in this matchup. By eliminating the advantage created by screens, the Grizzlies forced New Orleans into contested mid-range jumpers and difficult drives against set defenses.

This scheme requires exceptional communication, discipline, and individual defensive ability—all areas where Memphis excelled. When Zion Williamson received switches onto smaller defenders like Morant or Bane, the Grizzlies showed immediate help from the weak side while trusting their perimeter defenders to hold ground long enough for rotations to arrive. It's a high-wire act that few teams can execute consistently, but Memphis made it look routine.

Pelicans' Offensive Stagnation and Structural Concerns

New Orleans entered this series with legitimate playoff aspirations, but their offensive limitations were ruthlessly exposed by Memphis's defensive versatility. The Pelicans managed just 105.8 points per 100 possessions in the series, a catastrophic drop from their season average. More concerning than the raw numbers was the lack of offensive creativity and the inability to generate quality looks against a prepared defense.

Zion Williamson's 12-point first quarter in Game 5 represented his most aggressive stretch of the series, but even that early burst proved unsustainable. Memphis adjusted by positioning Jackson as a roamer, allowing him to provide help on Williamson's drives while still contesting shots at the rim. Williamson finished the game with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting—solid numbers in isolation, but not the dominant performance New Orleans needed from their franchise player in an elimination game.

Across the series, Williamson averaged 24.2 points but required 19.4 field goal attempts per game to reach that mark, shooting just 48.7% from the floor—well below his season average of 57.1%. The Grizzlies' strategy of packing the paint and daring New Orleans to beat them from the perimeter proved devastatingly effective, as the Pelicans converted just 31.2% of their three-point attempts in the series.

McCollum's Struggles and Ingram's Inconsistency

CJ McCollum's 6-for-18 shooting performance in Game 5 was emblematic of his series-long struggles against Memphis's aggressive perimeter defense. McCollum averaged just 17.8 points on 38.9% shooting across the five games, unable to create the separation necessary for his signature mid-range game. At 34 years old, McCollum's declining first-step quickness has become exploitable against elite defensive teams, and the Grizzlies targeted this weakness relentlessly.

Brandon Ingram provided moments of brilliance—his 28-point performance in Game 3 kept New Orleans competitive—but his efficiency cratered in the final two games (combined 18-for-44 shooting). Ingram's tendency to settle for contested mid-range jumpers rather than attacking the rim played directly into Memphis's defensive strategy. The Grizzlies were content to allow Ingram to take difficult two-point shots while eliminating three-point attempts and drives to the basket.

Coaching Chess Match: Jenkins Outmaneuvers Green

Taylor Jenkins deserves significant credit for his tactical adjustments throughout the series. After New Orleans found success in Game 2 with early offense and transition opportunities, Jenkins implemented a "get back" strategy that prioritized defensive balance over offensive rebounding. This adjustment limited the Pelicans to just 11.4 fast-break points per game in Games 3-5, compared to 18.7 in the first two contests.

Willie Green attempted various defensive schemes against Morant—deploying Herbert Jones as a primary defender, experimenting with McCollum's physicality, and even trying rookie Dyson Daniels for stretches—but none proved consistently effective. The fundamental issue wasn't personnel but rather the lack of a coherent defensive game plan. New Orleans oscillated between drop coverage, switching, and blitzing without committing fully to any single approach, allowing Morant to exploit the confusion.

Green's offensive play-calling also came under scrutiny. The Pelicans ran the same Williamson-Ingram pick-and-roll action 47 times in Game 5, generating just 38 points—a paltry 0.81 points per possession. Memphis's familiarity with this action and their defensive discipline rendered it ineffective, yet New Orleans continued returning to the same well. The absence of counters, misdirection plays, or creative sets to generate open looks reflected a concerning lack of offensive sophistication.

Playoff Picture: Pelicans' Precarious Position

This series loss drops New Orleans to 32-37, sitting 2.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10th seed and final play-in position with 13 games remaining. The schedule offers little relief—upcoming matchups against Denver, Phoenix, and the Lakers represent potential knockout blows to their postseason hopes. Even if the Pelicans manage to secure a play-in berth, this series exposed fundamental flaws that suggest they're not equipped for a deep playoff run.

The Western Conference playoff race remains chaotic, with five teams separated by just three games in the battle for seeds 7-11. However, New Orleans faces the most difficult remaining schedule among that group, with nine of their final 13 games against teams currently above .500. The margin for error has evaporated entirely.

Organizational Questions Loom Large

Beyond the immediate playoff implications, this series raises uncomfortable questions about New Orleans' roster construction and long-term trajectory. The Pelicans have invested significant resources in their current core, but the lack of shooting, perimeter creation, and defensive versatility suggests fundamental structural issues that can't be solved with minor tweaks.

Williamson's max contract extension kicks in next season, and the team's financial flexibility will be severely limited. If this core can't advance past the first round—or even reach the playoffs—difficult decisions loom about the franchise's direction. The front office must evaluate whether this roster has a realistic championship ceiling or if more dramatic changes are necessary.

Memphis's Championship Credentials Strengthened

For the Grizzlies, this series victory reinforces their status as legitimate Western Conference contenders. The combination of Morant's offensive brilliance, Jackson's defensive dominance, and the team's overall depth and versatility makes them a nightmare matchup for any opponent. Memphis now owns the league's third-best defensive rating since the All-Star break (108.4) while maintaining a top-10 offense—the formula for playoff success.

The Grizzlies' remaining schedule is manageable, with opportunities to secure home-court advantage in the first round and potentially climb to the third seed. More importantly, they've demonstrated the ability to execute their defensive scheme against elite offensive talent and maintain composure in high-pressure situations. These are the qualities that separate pretenders from contenders.

Jenkins has cultivated a culture of accountability and defensive intensity that permeates the roster. Role players like Luke Kennard, Xavier Tillman, and Santi Aldama understand their assignments and execute them with precision. This organizational cohesion, combined with star-level talent, positions Memphis as a team capable of making a deep playoff run and potentially reaching the Western Conference Finals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Pelicans still make the playoffs after this series loss?

Mathematically, yes—the Pelicans remain 2.5 games behind the 10th seed with 13 games remaining. However, their path has become extremely difficult. They face the league's fourth-toughest remaining schedule, with nine games against teams currently above .500. New Orleans would likely need to win at least 9 of their final 13 games while hoping for favorable results from competitors. Given their current form and the structural issues exposed in this series, reaching even the play-in tournament appears unlikely. The team's defensive deficiencies and lack of consistent three-point shooting make them vulnerable against quality opponents, and they've now lost seven of their last ten games.

Is Ja Morant a legitimate MVP candidate after this performance?

Morant has certainly strengthened his MVP case with this series performance, averaging 29.8 points and 9.2 assists while shooting over 51% from the field. However, he faces stiff competition from Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić, all of whom have posted superior statistical seasons. Morant's primary challenge is narrative—the Grizzlies' fourth-seed positioning doesn't carry the same weight as Denver's dominance or Oklahoma City's surprising success. That said, if Memphis finishes strong and secures a top-three seed while Morant maintains this level of play, he could finish in the top five of MVP voting. His two-way impact, leadership, and clutch performances in high-leverage games make him one of the league's most valuable players, even if he doesn't win the award.

What adjustments should Willie Green have made to counter Memphis's switching defense?

Green needed to implement more off-ball movement and screening actions to create confusion in Memphis's switching scheme. The Pelicans relied too heavily on isolation basketball and predictable pick-and-roll actions that allowed the Grizzlies to switch comfortably. Effective counters would have included: (1) Spain pick-and-rolls with back-screens to create temporary advantages, (2) more transition offense to attack before Memphis's defense was set, (3) utilizing Williamson as a screener more frequently to force Jackson away from the rim, and (4) running more split actions and dribble handoffs to create movement and force multiple switches. Additionally, New Orleans needed to shoot more three-pointers to punish Memphis's packed paint defense—they attempted just 28.4 threes per game in the series compared to their season average of 34.1.

How does Jaren Jackson Jr.'s defense compare to other Defensive Player of the Year candidates?

Jackson is currently the frontrunner for DPOY, and this series showcased why. His combination of rim protection (averaging 3.4 blocks in this series) and perimeter versatility is virtually unmatched. Compared to other candidates like Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo, Jackson offers superior switchability and the ability to guard all five positions effectively. His 7-foot-4 wingspan allows him to contest shots without leaving his feet, reducing foul trouble while maintaining defensive presence. Jackson's defensive rating of 106.2 this season ranks second among qualified players, and Memphis's defense is 8.7 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court. While Gobert remains an elite rim protector, Jackson's ability to execute Memphis's switching scheme while still providing elite shot-blocking gives him the edge in this year's DPOY race.

What does New Orleans need to do in the offseason to become a legitimate contender?

The Pelicans face a critical offseason that will define their championship window. Priority one is adding elite three-point shooting—they ranked 24th in three-point percentage this season at 35.1%. This likely requires trading future assets or role players to acquire a high-volume shooter who can space the floor for Williamson. Priority two is finding a defensive-minded wing who can guard elite perimeter scorers; Herbert Jones is excellent, but they need additional perimeter defense. Priority three is evaluating whether CJ McCollum, now 34, remains the right fit as the secondary ball-handler, or if his declining athleticism necessitates a change. The front office must also address depth issues—their bench ranked 22nd in scoring this season. With limited cap flexibility due to Williamson's extension, creative trades and shrewd draft picks will be essential. Most importantly, they need to develop a more sophisticated offensive system that doesn't rely so heavily on isolation basketball and can generate quality three-point attempts against elite defenses.