Pelicans Hand Grizzlies First Loss, 135-134 in OT, as Zion Williamson Scores 25 and Ty Jerome's Last Shot Misses

The NBA no longer has an unbeaten team. Zion Williamson scored nine of his 25 points in overtime, Jeremiah Fears made two free throws with 7.3 seconds left, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Memphis Grizzlies 135-134 on Monday night in Memphis.

Memphis had opened the season 6-0, matching the best start in franchise history, according to the Associated Press. Ty Jerome scored 40 points, but his 15-foot jumper at the buzzer missed. The Grizzlies are now 6-1. New Orleans won its third straight game and improved to 3-4.

Pelicans vs. Grizzlies: final score by quarter

How it went to overtime

New Orleans led most of the night. The Pelicans were in front 100-95 after three quarters, only the second time this season Memphis had trailed entering the fourth, the AP said. The Grizzlies had been outscoring opponents by an average of eight points in second halves but couldn’t shake New Orleans.

Then Jerome took over. He scored nine straight Memphis points in the final 1:43 of regulation to tie the game 124-124 and force overtime.

In the extra period, Williamson scored nine of the Pelicans’ 11 points. Fears’ two free throws with 7.3 seconds left put New Orleans ahead for good, and Jerome’s last attempt came up short.

A heated finish

The game didn’t end quietly. After the final horn, the teams got into a shouting match at midcourt and had to be separated, with members of both squads still yelling at each other, according to the AP.

Ty Jerome’s 40-point night

Jerome was close to unstoppable. He made 14 of 22 shots, 5 of 6 3-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws, and added five rebounds and five assists, per the box score. Cameron Boozer added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Jaylen Wells scored 16.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies match player stats

Pelicans

• Zion Williamson: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
• Karlo Matkovic: career-high 25 points, five 3-pointers
• Derik Queen: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists off the bench
• Trey Murphy III: 18 points
• Saddiq Bey: 18 points
• Jeremiah Fears: 12 points, 7 assists, winning free throws

Grizzlies

• Ty Jerome: 40 points, 14-of-22 FG
• Cameron Boozer: 18 points, 9 rebounds
• Jaylen Wells: 16 points
• Isaiah Stewart: 14 points
• Cam Spencer: 13 points, 7 assists
• Jerami Grant: 11 points

The Pelicans scored 62 points in the paint and committed only eight turnovers, according to the box score.

Pelicans won short-handed

New Orleans did it without three rotation players. Starting guard Dejounte Murray missed his third game for personal reasons, the AP reported, and starter Yves Missi and reserve Jordan Poole were out with injuries.

What’s next

• Pelicans: host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
• Grizzlies: host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

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