Pelicans face Grizzlies tonight in Memphis with playoff hopes fading

The New Orleans Pelicans face a treacherous trip to Memphis tonight, chasing desperate playoff hopes against Ja Morant-less Grizzlies. The Pelicans (10-36) sit in the Western Conference cellar, needing a massive turnaround. Will Trey Murphy III and company shock the Grizzlies (18-24) at FedExForum?

Pelicans Spiraling Fast in Race Against Time

The New Orleans Pelicans have become a cautionary tale this season. Sitting in 15th place in the Western Conference with a 10-36 record, they face what many consider an insurmountable climb back to playoff relevance. Their 14-of-16 loss streak exposes deeper organizational struggles that transcend individual performances.

Interim coach James Borrego faces a team playing from behind every night, falling behind by double digits in 3 of their last 4 games. Injuries and illness continue plaguing New Orleans, with Herb Jones (right ankle) and backup point guard Jose Alvarado (left oblique) out for extended stretches. Zion Williamson played through illness against Detroit but retreated in the third quarter, leaving questions about his availability and effectiveness going forward.

Grizzlies Fighting Without Morant but Still Favored

Memphis enters as 5.5-point favorites despite losing its best player to injury just hours before tipoff. Ja Morant‘s UCL sprain in his left elbow marks another setback in his injury-plagued season comeback. The star guard had just returned to lead victories after missing 6 consecutive games with a right calf contusion.

Jaren Jackson Jr. takes center stage with 18.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG averaged this season. The Grizzlies’ 8-2 edge in their last 10 matchups against New Orleans provides confidence, but Memphis has lost 8 of 11 recent games. Coach Tuomas Iisalo acknowledges the team’s youth and missing primary creators hurt their ability to execute in crucial moments.

Trey Murphy III Needs Grizzlies Game to Return to Form

Matchup Factor	Pelicans	Grizzlies
Record	10-36	18-24
Leading Scorer	Trey Murphy III, 27.8 PPG	Jaren Jackson Jr., 18.7 PPG
Recent Form	Lost 14 of last 16 games	Lost 8 of last 11, Morant injured
Head-to-Head	1-8 vs Grizzlies in last 9	8-2 vs Pelicans in last 10

Trey Murphy III has emerged as New Orleans’ most consistent scorer, posting 27.8 PPG in January, good for 10th in the league. However, he’s struggled uncharacteristically against Memphis in 2 matchups this season, highlighting a potential mismatch. Zion Williamson‘s health status remains questionable after battling illness, which could significantly impact the Pelicans’ interior presence and overall offensive flow. Without both players firing on all cylinders, New Orleans faces an uphill climb against a Grizzlies team desperate to prove it can win without its star.

“It’s tough to play from behind every night. At some point that starting group has to make a stand or I’ve got to pivot.”

— James Borrego, Interim Head Coach, New Orleans Pelicans

Playoff Mathematics Make Tonight Essential for New Orleans

The Pelicans’ playoff odds sit at a sobering +2500, translating to just a 3.85% implied probability of making the postseason. Every single game carries championship-level importance, yet their ability to execute remains questionable. Borrego has indicated potential lineup changes if the starting group doesn’t respond with urgency, suggesting organizational frustration with current performance levels.

Memphis, meanwhile, has a +1100 playoff probability despite injuries, giving them a 8.33% chance to reach the postseason. The Grizzlies remain mathematically alive and fighting for relevance. A victory over a deflated New Orleans team reinforces that Memphis can compete without Morant, buying confidence for the stretch run when injuries inevitably arrive around the league.

Can the Pelicans Write a Comeback Story Before the Deadline?

January 23 represents a crossroads for New Orleans. The trade deadline looms, and the team’s front office has already signaled that core pieces like Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are staying put despite struggling season. This commitment to continuity suggests management believes the talent exists to turn things around rather than blow up the roster.

Yet performances like their 112-104 home loss to Detroit create doubt about whether this group truly has championship DNA or just goes through the motions. Can they ignite before it’s too late? Will they finally execute the game plan Borrego demands? Or does another loss against Memphis send them closer to the lottery lottery? These questions hang over FedExForum tonight as two struggling franchises battle for relevance and playoff positioning. The Grizzlies are favored, but desperation sometimes beats odds.

Sources

• NBA.com – Official game preview and injury reports for Pelicans vs Grizzlies on January 23, 2026
• ESPN – Team standings, player statistics, and recent game recaps with box scores
• Fox Sports – Matchup analysis, odds information, and coaching commentary from James Borrego and Tuomas Iisalo