The New Orleans Pelicans head to Memphis for a Southwest Division clash against the Grizzlies on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Pelicans, languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference amid a rebuild hampered by injuries, seek to end a six-game losing streak and steal a rare road win. The Grizzlies, hovering around the play-in mix, aim to leverage their home court and rebound from a recent skid to climb the standings. This marks the third meeting this season, with Memphis holding a 2-0 edge after wins in November (124-112 in New Orleans) and December (118-105 in Memphis).
Venue Location
FedExForum
Memphis, TN
Capacity: 18,119
(Opened in 2004, this arena is the home of the Grizzlies and known for its gritty, blue-collar atmosphere that energizes the team’s defensive identity, especially during divisional games.)
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Southeast (Grizzlies local), Bally Sports New Orleans (Pelicans local)
Radio: ESPN 92.9 FM (Memphis), WRNO 99.5 FM (New Orleans)
Injury Report
Injuries have decimated both rosters, with New Orleans particularly hard-hit, contributing to their league-worst record.
New Orleans Pelicans:
Zion Williamson (PF): Out (Right knee tendinopathy; out indefinitely)
Brandon Ingram (SF): Questionable (Left ankle sprain; limited in practice)
CJ McCollum (SG): Out (Right hamstring strain; expected return early February)
Herbert Jones (SF): Game-time decision (Illness)
Without Williamson and McCollum, the Pelicans will turn to Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins for scoring. Yves Missi is expected to start at center if healthy.
Memphis Grizzlies:
Ja Morant (PG): Probable (Right shoulder soreness; expected to play)
Desmond Bane (SG): Out (Left oblique strain; out 1-2 weeks)
Marcus Smart (PG): Questionable (Illness)
GG Jackson II (F): Out (Right foot fracture; out for season)
If Morant is limited, Scotty Pippen Jr. could see more minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. remains the anchor, providing elite rim protection.
Key Player Matchups
This game features a contrast in styles: New Orleans’ pace-and-space offense (when healthy) vs. Memphis’ grind-it-out defense (No. 6 in efficiency).
Trey Murphy III (NOP) vs. Vince Williams Jr./John Konchar (MEM): Murphy (18.2 PPG, 38.4% 3PT) is New Orleans’ top healthy scorer, stretching the floor. Memphis’ wings will aim to contest his threes, with Williams’ length disrupting drives.
Brandon Ingram (NOP, if active) vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM): Ingram (22.4 PPG on 46.8% FG) brings mid-range scoring, but Jackson (19.6 PPG, 5.8 BPG) is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate who could block Ingram’s paths to the rim.
Yves Missi (NOP) vs. Zach Edey (MEM): Rookie bigs clash. Missi (9.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) offers athleticism, while Edey (11.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG) dominates with size and rebounding.
Jordan Hawkins (NOP) vs. Ja Morant (MEM, if active): Hawkins (14.6 PPG) steps up as a shooter, but Morant (24.8 PPG, 8.2 APG) could exploit New Orleans’ 28th-ranked defense with his explosiveness.
Other notes: Memphis’ bench (40.2 PPG) outpaces New Orleans’ (34.8 PPG). The Grizzlies rank No. 4 in steals, potentially feasting on the Pelicans’ turnover-prone offense (15th in TO%).
Team Rankings
| Category | Pelicans Rank (League) | Grizzlies Rank (League) |
| Points Per Game | 105.6 (28th) | 110.4 (22nd) |
| Opponent PPG | 118.2 (29th) | 109.8 (8th) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 43.1 (24th) | 45.6 (14th) |
| Assists Per Game | 23.4 (22nd) | 24.8 (18th) |
| Field Goal % | 44.5% (27th) | 45.2% (23rd) |
| 3-Point % | 34.8% (20th) | 35.4% (15th) |
Recent Team Forms
New Orleans has been in freefall, while Memphis shows flashes but lacks consistency.
New Orleans Pelicans (Last 10 Games: 1-9)
The Pelicans have lost nine of their last 10, including a 104-112 home loss to Detroit (Jan. 21). Their lone win was a 115-110 upset over Charlotte (Jan. 16), but they’ve allowed 120.4 PPG in losses.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. DET | L | 104-112 | Murphy III: 24 PTS |
| Jan. 19 | vs. BKN | W | 112-108 | Ingram: 28 PTS (pre-questionable) |
| Jan. 17 | @ DAL | L | 98-120 | Hawkins: 20 PTS |
| Jan. 15 | @ SAS | L | 105-118 | Murphy III: 22 PTS |
| Jan. 13 | vs. PHX | L | 102-115 | Missi: 12 PTS, 10 REB |
| Jan. 11 | @ LAC | L | 99-121 | Hawkins: 18 PTS |
| Jan. 9 | vs. SAC | L | 110-117 | Murphy III: 25 PTS |
| Jan. 7 | @ POR | L | 101-114 | Ingram: 26 PTS |
| Jan. 5 | vs. UTA | L | 108-119 | Missi: 14 PTS, 12 REB |
| Jan. 3 | @ DEN | L | 95-128 | Hawkins: 15 PTS |
Memphis Grizzlies (Last 10 Games: 4-6)
The Grizzlies have alternated results, with wins like a 112-105 home victory over Golden State (Jan. 18) offset by losses to strong teams like Oklahoma City (102-118 on Jan. 21). They’ve held opponents to 108.6 PPG in wins.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | @ OKC | L | 102-118 | Morant: 26 PTS, 9 AST |
| Jan. 19 | vs. LAL | L | 110-115 | Jackson Jr.: 22 PTS, 6 BLK |
| Jan. 18 | vs. GSW | W | 112-105 | Morant: 28 PTS |
| Jan. 16 | @ MIN | W | 108-104 | Edey: 15 PTS, 13 REB |
| Jan. 14 | vs. SAS | W | 114-109 | Jackson Jr.: 24 PTS |
| Jan. 12 | @ HOU | L | 98-112 | Morant: 25 PTS |
| Jan. 10 | vs. LAC | L | 105-121 | Williams Jr.: 18 PTS |
| Jan. 7 | @ PHX | L | 111-119 | Jackson Jr.: 20 PTS, 5 BLK |
| Jan. 5 | vs. SAC | W | 112-105 | Morant: 30 PTS |
| Jan. 3 | @ DAL | L | 108-116 | Edey: 14 PTS, 11 REB |
Series History
Memphis leads the all-time series 58-47 in 105 regular-season games. The Grizzlies have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, including this season’s sweep so far. Trends: The under has hit in 5 of the last 7 games, averaging 218.6 total points.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Spread Covered? |
| Dec. 15, 2025 | Memphis | MEM Win | 118-105 | MEM -8.5 |
| Nov. 20, 2025 | New Orleans | MEM Win | 124-112 | MEM -4.0 |
| Mar. 8, 2025 | Memphis | NOP Win | 109-104 | NOP +6.5 |
| Dec. 26, 2024 | New Orleans | MEM Win | 114-113 | NOP +2.5 (No) |
| Dec. 19, 2024 | Memphis | MEM Win | 126-114 | MEM -5.5 |
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS): Pelicans 15-30-1 (33.3% cover rate); Grizzlies 20-22 (47.6% cover rate). New Orleans is 2-8 ATS in last 10, Memphis 4-6 ATS. Over/Under (O/U): Pelicans games hit over 20-26 (43.5%); Grizzlies 18-24 (42.9%). Last 10 Grizzlies games average 221.4 points. Moneyline (ML): Grizzlies 14-10 as favorites (58.3% win rate); Pelicans 3-25 as underdogs. Memphis is 11-10 straight-up at home.
Recent Trends: Pelicans 1-9 straight-up last 10 road games; 3-7 ATS vs. West. Grizzlies 5-5 ATS last 10 home; the under is 6-4 in Memphis’ last 10.
Memphis’ home edge and defensive prowess give them a 78% win probability. New Orleans’ injuries and road struggles (4-19) make an upset unlikely. The Grizzlies cover 48% of spreads and have won by 10+ in four of last six vs. sub-.500 teams. Pelicans are 2-8 ATS recently; expect a double-digit win. Both defenses improve at home/road (MEM No. 8, NOP allows high but scores low without stars). Last five meetings averaged 216 points; injuries slow pace.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 235.5
Memphis Grizzlies – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
