The Memphis Grizzlies suffered their first loss of the 2026–27 season Monday night, falling 135–134 to the New Orleans Pelicans in an overtime thriller.
It was a heartbreaking loss that came down to the final seconds, but also a harbinger of the good things to come for this young squad.
82-0 is no longer on the table. Bummer.
I kid, but this team is undeniable, and if you haven’t enjoyed this historic start for a team that was predicted to be in the bottom of the Western Conference in the first year of a rebuild, you might be allergic to fun and good basketball.
To put this start in perspective, keep in mind that last year’s team didn’t win two consecutive games until nearly the end of November, let alone six in a row.
The vibes are immaculate.
There’s bad news, good news, and the best news after this loss to the Pelicans.
The bad news is obviously that the Grizzlies are no longer undefeated.
The good news is that it was as respectable a loss as there can be – down to the wire after forcing an extra period, after overcoming a double-digit deficit.
The best news is that Ty Jerome has returned to the lineup after missing last Saturday’s Halloween matchup against the Sacramento Kings, and I am pleased to tell you that he is still THAT DUDE.
New Orleans led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but Memphis fought back and took a three-point lead into halftime. The Pelicans stormed back and responded with force, outscoring the Grizzlies 41-33 in the third quarter.
Then Jerome happened in the fourth quarter, rescuing Memphis from a nine-point deficit late in regulation and scoring nine consecutive points to tie the game at 124–124 with 4.6 seconds remaining. He put up a cool (and game-high) 40 points, becoming the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to score multiple 40-point games within the first 10 games of a season. In Memphis’s 10 overtime points, Jerome scored eight.
They lost in part because Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears made a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds left in overtime.
Turnovers were the Grizzlies’ Achilles’ heel in this loss, a familiar pattern from last season. Memphis committed twice as many turnovers as New Orleans, 16 to 8, and let the Pelicans score 21 points off them. Fewer turnovers and fewer points off them could have saved the Grizzlies’ bacon and let them close out the game in regulation.
Jerome wasn’t the only player who balled out for Memphis.
Cam Boozer added 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Boozer is an early frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. He leads all rookies in rebounding and ranks fifth in scoring.
Jaylen Wells finished with 16 points and Cedric Coward with 10.
Zach Edey had a less-than-ideal game and fouled out in overtime, the only starter to score in single digits. He got into foul trouble early, picking up his third foul two minutes into the second quarter. His offensive contribution was minimal – six points in 19:24 minutes on 2 of 6 shooting.
Isaiah Stewart again led the second unit in scoring, finishing with 14 points. Cam Spencer was close behind, scoring 13 points.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies continue their homestand Wednesday night when they face the Indiana Pacers. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.
