In their final game of NBA Cup group play, the Pelicans played a competitive game against the Memphis Grizzlies. They stayed within striking distance until late in the fourth quarter. But the end result — a 120-109 loss to Memphis at FedEx Forum — was the same as the previous six games the Pelicans have played.

For eight games, Memphis Grizzlies fans patiently waited for Ja Morant to return from his hip injury. He finally returned on November 25 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, he immediately was sidelined again with a knee contusion that kept him out against the Detroit Pistons on November 27.

Ja Morant scored 27 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 23 and reserve Santi Aldama had 20 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to their first NBA Cup victory Friday, 120-109 over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.