The NBA rivalry between the New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats always delivers high-energy basketball, showcasing some of the league’s brightest stars and most exciting plays. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the first time, understanding the player stats from these matchups can give you a clearer picture of what makes these games so thrilling. In this article, we’ll break down the key player performances from recent Pelicans vs. Grizzlies games, focusing on the stats that shaped the outcomes. We’ll keep it simple, engaging, and easy to follow for fans of all ages, complete with a table summarizing the standout numbers.
Why New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats Are Must-Watch
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats are two teams stacked with young talent, athleticism, and grit. Both franchises play in the NBA’s Western Conference, making their matchups critical for playoff seeding and bragging rights. The Pelicans bring a fast-paced, high-flying style led by players like Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, while the Grizzlies counter with a tough, defensive-minded approach spearheaded by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. When these teams clash, you can expect a mix of highlight-reel dunks, clutch three-pointers, and intense defensive battles.
Recent games, like those on December 27, 2024, and March 9, 2025, have shown just how competitive this rivalry is. Let’s dive into the player stats from these matchups to see who stepped up and how their performances shaped the games.
Game Recap: December 27, 2024 – Grizzlies Dominate in High-Scoring Affair
On December 27, 2024, the Memphis Grizzlies took down the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 139-126 at the Smoothie King Center. This game was a showcase of offensive firepower, with both teams lighting up the scoreboard. Let’s break down the key performers.
Memphis Grizzlies Standouts
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Jaren Jackson Jr.: The Grizzlies’ big man was a force, dropping 29 points, including 15 in a pivotal third quarter that helped Memphis pull away. Jackson was efficient, shooting 10-of-14 from the field, and added 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, showing his two-way dominance. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim made him a matchup nightmare for the Pelicans.
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Desmond Bane: Bane was a playmaking machine, finishing with 20 points and a whopping 14 assists. His ability to find open teammates and knock down shots (8-of-15 from the field, 3-of-6 from three) kept the Pelicans’ defense on its heels. Bane’s versatility as a scorer and facilitator was a key factor in Memphis’ win.
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Luke Kennard: Coming off the bench, Kennard was lights-out, scoring 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including an incredible 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. His sharpshooting stretched the Pelicans’ defense thin and opened up driving lanes for his teammates.
New Orleans Pelicans Standouts
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Dejounte Murray: Leading the Pelicans, Murray put up 26 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. His quickness and ball-handling kept the Pelicans in the game early, though he struggled with efficiency (9-of-20 from the field). Murray’s ability to attack the basket was a bright spot for New Orleans.
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Trey Murphy III: Murphy contributed 20 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. His outside shooting gave the Pelicans a chance to keep pace with Memphis’ hot offense, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
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Zion Williamson: While Zion’s stats weren’t fully detailed in the box score, he was a presence in the paint, battling against Jackson and the Grizzlies’ frontcourt. His athleticism led to several highlight plays, though Memphis’ defense limited his overall impact.
Key Takeaways
The Grizzlies’ win was powered by their balanced attack and red-hot shooting, particularly from deep. Memphis shot 50% from three-point range as a team, with Kennard and Bane leading the way. The Pelicans struggled defensively, allowing 139 points, which is a tough number to overcome, even with their own offensive output. Murray and Murphy kept New Orleans competitive, but the Grizzlies’ depth and efficiency were too much to handle.
Game Recap: March 9, 2025 – A Nail-Biter in New Orleans
Fast forward to March 9, 2025, and the two teams met again at the Smoothie King Center, this time in a much closer contest. The Grizzlies edged out the Pelicans 107-104 in a game that came down to the wire. Here’s how the players performed.
Memphis Grizzlies Standouts
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Ja Morant: The Grizzlies’ superstar guard led the way with 32 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Morant’s explosiveness was on full display, as he attacked the rim relentlessly and hit a crucial 9-foot driving floater late in the game. His ability to take over in clutch moments was the difference-maker.
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Desmond Bane: Bane continued his strong play against the Pelicans, adding 30 points and 4 assists. His connection with Morant on pick-and-roll plays, including a key assist on a late jumper, helped seal the victory. Bane also hit a 2-foot layup assisted by Scotty Pippen Jr. to keep Memphis ahead.
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Scotty Pippen Jr.: The young guard made an impact off the bench, scoring 8 points, including a 27-foot three-pointer assisted by Bane. Pippen also blocked a 4-foot layup by Jose Alvarado, showcasing his defensive hustle.
New Orleans Pelicans Standouts
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Trey Murphy III: Murphy led the Pelicans with 27 points, including 5-of-10 from three-point range. His shooting kept New Orleans in the game, especially in the second half when they erased a 7-point halftime deficit. Murphy’s ability to stretch the floor was critical.
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Jose Alvarado: Known for his tenacious defense, Alvarado struggled offensively, missing a 4-foot layup and a 6-foot floater, both blocked by Grizzlies defenders. He still chipped in with 10 points and 5 assists, providing energy off the bench.
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CJ McCollum: While specific stats for McCollum weren’t highlighted, he’s a consistent scoring threat for the Pelicans. His playmaking and mid-range game likely contributed to New Orleans’ late push, though they fell just short.
Key Takeaways
This game was a defensive battle compared to the December matchup, with both teams tightening up in the paint and on the perimeter. The Grizzlies’ clutch plays, led by Morant and Bane, were enough to hold off a furious Pelicans comeback. New Orleans showed resilience, with Murphy’s hot shooting nearly turning the tide, but Memphis’ defensive stops, including blocks by Pippen and Vince Williams Jr., secured the win.
Table: New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats (March 9, 2025)
To make it easy to compare the top performers, here’s a table summarizing the key stats from the March 9, 2025, game:
|
Player |
Team |
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
FG% |
3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ja Morant |
Grizzlies |
32 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12/22 (54.5%) | 2/5 (40%) |
|
Desmond Bane |
Grizzlies |
30 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11/20 (55%) | 3/8 (37.5%) |
|
Scotty Pippen Jr. |
Grizzlies |
8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3/6 (50%) | 1/2 (50%) |
|
Trey Murphy III |
Pelicans |
27 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10/18 (55.6%) | 5/10 (50%) |
|
Jose Alvarado |
Pelicans |
10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4/10 (40%) | 1/4 (25%) |
|
Dejounte Murray |
Pelicans |
20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8/17 (47.1%) | 2/6 (33.3%) |
Note: Some stats for other players (e.g., Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum) were not fully detailed in available sources but are assumed to align with their typical contributions.
What the Stats Tell Us About the New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats Rivalry
The numbers from these games highlight a few key trends:
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Grizzlies’ Backcourt Dominance: Ja Morant and Desmond Bane consistently put up big numbers against the Pelicans. Morant’s explosiveness and Bane’s all-around game make them a lethal duo. Their ability to score, facilitate, and make plays in crunch time has given Memphis the edge in recent matchups.
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Pelicans’ Shooting Keeps Them Close: Trey Murphy III’s emergence as a reliable scorer, especially from three-point range, has been a bright spot for New Orleans. When he’s hot, the Pelicans can hang with anyone, but they need more consistency from stars like Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum to match Memphis’ firepower.
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Defensive Impact: The March 9 game showed both teams stepping up defensively, with blocks and steals playing a big role. The Grizzlies’ ability to get stops late, thanks to players like Pippen and Vince Williams Jr., was crucial in their narrow victory.
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Bench Production: Both teams rely on their benches to provide sparks. Luke Kennard’s 27-point outburst in December and Scotty Pippen Jr.’s hustle plays in March show how depth can swing these games.
Historical Context: New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats Head-to-Head
Looking at their head-to-head history, the New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats have been evenly matched. Since 2005, they’ve played 88 games, with each team winning 44, according to AiScore data. The Pelicans average 101.7 points per game against Memphis, while the Grizzlies average 101.6, showing just how tight this rivalry is. Recent games, however, have tilted slightly in Memphis’ favor, with the Grizzlies winning 3 of their last 5 matchups against New Orleans.
Why These Stats Matter for Fans
For fans, these stats aren’t just numbers—they tell the story of the game. If you’re rooting for the Pelicans, you’re excited about Trey Murphy III’s growth and Dejounte Murray’s leadership, but you might be frustrated by defensive lapses. If you’re a Grizzlies fan, you’re thrilled by Ja Morant’s heroics and Desmond Bane’s consistency, but you know the team needs to stay healthy to keep winning these close games. Either way, the stats give you a window into what’s working, what’s not, and who’s stepping up when it matters most.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats?
As the 2024-25 season progresses, both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the tough Western Conference. The Pelicans need to shore up their defense and get more consistent production from their stars to compete with Memphis. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will lean on their dynamic backcourt and deep bench to keep their edge in this rivalry.
Keep an eye on key matchups like Zion Williamson vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. in the paint and Ja Morant vs. Dejounte Murray on the perimeter. These battles will likely decide the next chapter of this exciting rivalry.
Where to Find More Stats and Highlights
If you’re hungry for more details, check out sites like NBA.com, ESPN, or Sofascore for full box scores, video highlights, and play-by-play breakdowns. These platforms offer real-time stats and clips of the best moments, like Morant’s acrobatic layups or Murphy’s deep threes.
Final Thoughts
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats are a basketball fan’s dream, packed with star power, clutch plays, and intense competition. By diving into the player stats, you can see how Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Trey Murphy III, and others shape these games. Whether it’s a high-scoring shootout or a gritty defensive battle, this rivalry never disappoints. Stay tuned for their next clash, and keep cheering for your team!