Pelicans extend winning streak to three with overtime win over Grizzlies
Zion Williamson led a balanced offensive effort as New Orleans defeated Memphis 135-134 in overtime at FedEx Forum.
By Arjun Tanaka ·
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 135-134 in overtime on Sunday, ending the Grizzlies' undefeated season and extending their own winning streak to three games.
Zion Williamson recorded his first double-double of the season with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. He also scored the first nine points for New Orleans in the extra period. Jeremiah Fears added the final two points on free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining.
Karlo Matkovic set a career high with 25 points, shooting 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Trey Murphy contributed 18 points and secured the final defensive stop of the game by guarding Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome. Jerome finished with 40 points, his strongest performance in a close contest.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley attributed the victory to collective effort. He stated that the team remained poised despite previous struggles in late-game situations. The Pelicans committed only eight turnovers, a key factor in maintaining their lead before the fourth-quarter scoring drought.
The team has won three consecutive games since switching to a starting lineup of Fears, Murphy, Williamson, Matkovic, and Herb Jones. Dejounte Murray missed his third straight game due to personal reasons, including the birth of his son. He flew with the team to Memphis but returned home after Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Memphis finished the regular season portion of the game leading 124-115 with 2:26 left, but failed to score in the final minutes. The Pelicans will look for a fourth straight win Wednesday when they host the Utah Jazz, who defeated New Orleans 120-119 earlier this season.
