The lights were bright on Wednesday night. The crowd was loud, and the Memphis Grizzlies delivered a comeback that felt like a statement. Down 15 points in the first half, Memphis stormed back with a ferocious third quarter and rode the energy of Ja Morant’s 35-point performance to take down the New Orleans Pelicans, 128–122, on Opening Night at FedExForum.
For a team looking to reset and reassert itself, this one checked every box — resilience, composure, and the kind of team-wide effort that new head coach Tuomas Iisalo has been preaching since training camp.
A Second-Half Spark
The Grizzlies looked sluggish early, giving up offensive boards and second-chance points, but everything changed after halftime. Memphis outscored New Orleans 41–22 in the third quarter, including a stunning 19–0 run that flipped the game on its head.
Iisalo called it “a gutsy performance,” crediting his players’ mindset more than any tactical change. “It wasn’t about adjustments — it was mental,” Iisalo said. “Every guy who stepped on the court contributed. We looked very strong.”
He emphasized that the turnaround came down to pure competitiveness. “All the tactics are there to support competitiveness,” he added. “Our guys rallied around each other and found ways to make incredible plays down the stretch.”
Morant’s Message
Ja Morant made his presence felt from the opening tip, pouring in 35 points and leading with energy and poise. It was his fourth Opening Night performance with 30 or more points — more than any other player in franchise history — and it officially pushed him past Michael Jordan for the highest career Opening Night scoring average in NBA history.
For Morant, though, this game was about something bigger. “It sets the tone for the season you want to have,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but we battled back and handled business. Great start for us. It’s one of 82.”
Morant, who hadn’t played since last year’s postseason, said he missed the game “a lot” and was ready from the moment he stepped on the court. He also praised his new teammates for being ready for the moment — especially rookie Cedric Coward.
“First game, no miss? Big time,” Morant said with a grin. “Helped us get a win. I think he’s going to be special.”
A Rookie’s Perfect Moment
Coward’s NBA debut was everything a young player could dream of: 14 points on perfect shooting, clutch defensive plays, and a team-high +24 in just 22 minutes.
“The win was how I drew it up,” Coward said afterward, smiling. “I didn’t really focus on my performance. My teammates helped me out tremendously by putting me in the right spots. The most important thing was just to come out with the win.”
Known for his defense, Coward said that’s where he wanted to make his mark. “You don’t want to be the weak link out there,” he said. “Coach has yelled at me plenty for not defending the way we’re supposed to, so that was my goal tonight.”
He even had fun with the team’s inside jokes, calling Ja Morant’s floater late in the game a “coke, butter, cheese” moment.
And when asked about defending Zion Williamson in crunch time, Coward didn’t flinch. “A lot of people move out the way,” he said. “Not with that. You go wall up and compete. You live with the outcome.”
Defense, Trust, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr. set the tone defensively, while finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks — breaking his own franchise record for blocks in a season opener.
Iisalo praised Jackson’s maturity in handling foul trouble, saying he wants to continue building trust with his star forward. “There’s an inherent risk when you’re contesting a ton of shots inside,” he said. “But Jaren made tremendous plays at the rim. That’s what you want to see.”
Depth Delivers
Newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 15 points and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper brought energy and rebounding off the bench. Morant applauded Prosper’s contribution, calling him “another guy that stepped up big for us.”
Iisalo also noted that managing Morant’s minutes with short bursts — three stints per half—allowed the team to keep its pace high late in the game. That approach paid off, as Memphis piled up 41 fast-break points and sustained energy through the final buzzer.
Respect and No Rivalry
When asked about facing Zion Williamson, Morant brushed off any notion of rivalry. “We’re from the same spot,” he said. “It ain’t no rivalry. That’s my brother. We love good hoops. We’re both excited to be healthy and back on the floor.”
The two former top picks delivered a show — Zion with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Morant with a signature comeback performance that reminded everyone what he’s capable of.
A Promising Start
The Grizzlies have now won their Opening Night matchup in four of the last five seasons and extended their winning streak over New Orleans to five straight. Their 128 points were the second-highest total in a season opener in franchise history.
For Iisalo, the night was about more than numbers. “Even though we lost the rebounding battle and our shots weren’t falling early, we still found a way to win,” he said. “That’s what this whole thing is about — finding a way to win.”
Memphis will continue its homestand Friday against the Miami Heat and Saturday against the Indiana Pacers, but this one — the comeback, the chemistry, the statement — felt like a fresh beginning.
Opening Night didn’t just bring a victory. It reintroduced a Grizzlies team that’s once again ready to fight, connect, and compete — together.
