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Ja Morant's buzzer beater propels Memphis Grizzlies to comeback win over Pelicans in return

Nick Gray, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·7 min read

The Memphis Grizzlies got back their star guard and their mojo on Tuesday.

Ja Morant's spinning layup at the buzzer gave Memphis a 115-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center.

Morant had 34 points and 8 assists in his return from a 25-game suspension.

The Grizzlies once trailed by 24 in the second quarter after the Pelicans had a 28-2 run, but Memphis chipped away at the lead throughout the second half.

Follow along with Tuesday's game, including highlights of Ja Morant's return from suspension:

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans live score updates

Ja Morant's points, stats tonight

Ja Morant tonight: 34 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block on 12-of-24 shooting and 10-of-12 from the free throw line in 35 minutes.

Ja Morant game-winner!

Ja Morant spins and scores on a layup at the buzzer to win the game. What a game and what a performance by Morant. Grizzlies 115, Pelicans 113.

Grizzlies take the lead with 1:20 left

Ja Morant works baseline and drives for a floater. Good. Morant is up to 30 points, and Memphis leads.

Pelicans 109, Grizzlies 107 at 3:16 4Q: Ja Morant Time

The Grizzlies' Big 3 is taking over. Ja Morant is up to 28 points and 8 assists, and Bane (21 points) and Jackson (22 points) are feeding off of him.

Can Memphis finish this comeback?

Pelicans 96, Grizzlies 89 at 8:17 4Q: Grizzlies keeping within a run

The Grizzlies can't get that extra run to draw even with the Pelicans, but they are keeping the deficit to single digits.

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been good to start the fourth quarter offensively as Ja Morant sits. When does he return?

Zion Williamson has been up and down today, with 11 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

End of the third quarter: Pelicans 87, Grizzlies 77

Ja Morant is up to 20 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes after three quarters. He's been trying to conserve energy some on the defensive end and has shown some fatigue. It'll be interesting to see when he'll sit in the fourth quarter.

Desmond Bane has 16 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. has 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 fouls.

Pelicans 73, Grizzlies 64 at 6:02 3Q: Grizzlies back in the game with good defense

The Grizzlies have the Pelicans' lead to single digits, outscoring New Orleans 23-13.

Ja Morant had five points in a row and has 8 points in the quarter.

Pelicans 60, Grizzlies 47 at 10:22 3Q: Memphis begins second half on 6-0 run

The Grizzlies open the second half on a 6-0 run, with Bismack Biyombo made shots bookending Desmond Bane's two free throws.

Memphis won't (Can't afford to?) go away.

Halftime: Pelicans 60, Grizzlies 41

Vince Williams Jr. says something to CJ McCollum after Williams hits a corner 3 at the halftime buzzer to cut New Orleans' lead to 19.

The Pelicans' run topped out at 28-2. Memphis' bench continues to be an issue in its current state.

Ja Morant has 7 points, 3 assists, a rebound, a block and two turnovers in 16 minutes.

Pelicans 53, Grizzlies 33 at 2:16 2Q: Ja Morant basket ends 23-0 Pelicans run

Ugly, ugly second quarter for the Grizzlies. Ja Morant's short shot ends a 23-0 New Orleans run that included four CJ McCollum 3-pointers. He's 5-of-6 from 3 for the game.

Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are back in the game, but the damage has been done.

Pelicans 40, Grizzlies 31 at 5:34 2Q: New Orleans goes on a 10-0 run

Without Jaren Jackson Jr. or Ja Morant on the floor for the Grizzlies, New Orleans goes on a 10-0 run in less than two minutes. Timeout Memphis.

CJ McCollum sandwiched a Brandon Ingram dunk with a pair of 3-pointers. He has 9 points, while Jonas Valancinuas leads New Orleans with 11 points.

Taylor Jenkins can only do so much with the roster situation as it is currently with injuries, but a lineup with Bismack Biyombo, Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar is bound to struggle.

Grizzlies 31, Pelicans 30 at 7:47 2Q: Failed Pelicans challenge leaves Zion with 3 fouls

The Pelicans challenge an offensive foul by Zion Williamson after he lowers his shoulder and flattens Jaren Jackson Jr. Not quite sure why New Orleans challenged the play, as Jackson looked to be in a good position and Williamson lowered his shoulder.

Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have been quiet so far on the offensive end.

Ja Morant has 5 points and 3 assists, and he'll sit. He's played 13 minutes so far.

End of the first quarter: Grizzlies 25, Pelicans 21

Morant finds Santi Aldama for a corner 3 late in the quarter. Aldama has 8 points off the bench, and that's an avalanche in this game right now.

Morant assisted on the Grizzlies' final two made shots of the quarter and has 3 points, 2 assists and a rebound. He only took two shots in the first quarter in eight minutes.

Grizzlies 20, Pelicans 16 at 1:47 1Q: Choppy first quarter favoring Grizz

Desmond Bane gets in transition and flies to the rim for a bucket. Memphis leads by 4 in an ugly first quarter. Pelicans have started 6-of-25 shooting. Grizzlies' energy is definitely elevated compared to Monday at OKC. Bane has four points but on 2-of-7 shooting with two turnovers.

Ja Morant is returning after the New Orleans timeout.

Pelicans 12, Grizzlies 11 at 6:11 1Q: Spirited start for Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Ja Morant scored 3 points with a rebound and a block in his first stint of the season, flying around with and without the basketball as he often does. He got his first basket of the season on an offensive rebound and layup around former teammate Jonas Valanciunas 1 minute, 24 seconds into the game.

Pelicans lead is 1, but Zion Williamson picked up two early fouls and is sitting. Related: Jaren Jackson Jr. already has seven free throw attempts.

Ja Morant in Memphis Grizzlies starting lineup

Ja Morant is in the lineup for the Grizzlies tonight for his return.

The five: Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo.

Zion Williamson (illness) available to play for the Pelicans

Zion Williamson was added to the Pelicans' injury report earlier Tuesday with a non-COVID illness and was designated as questionable.

The team announced about an hour before game time that he is available to play for New Orleans in Tuesday's game. Naji Marshall (ankle) is also available for the Pelicans.

Ja Morant arrives to the arena ahead of return from suspension

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Pelicans today?

Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

JA RETURNS: Surprise visits, subdued nightlife and halftime texts: Inside Ja Morant's suspension

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Dec. 19

  • Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

The Grizzlies face the New Orleans Pelicans, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT Tuesday at Smoothie King Center.

LAST GAME: Memphis Grizzlies blown out by Thunder in final game before Ja Morant's return

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 19

  • Spread: Pelicans -6.5

  • Money line: Pelicans -275, Grizzlies +220

  • Over/under total: 232.5 points

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Memphis Grizzlies live score updates vs New Orleans Pelicans as Ja Morant returns