Grizzlies vs. Pelicans score: Live updates as Zion Williamson, Ja Morant face off in crucial seeding game

Monday evening’s matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies was one of the most anticipated of all the seeding games. Not only was plenty on the line, but it featured the top two picks from last year’s draft, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. For the third time this season, Williamson and the Pelicans got the better of Morant and the Grizzlies, winning 109-99.

After each team started off 0-2 in the bubble, neither wanted to make it 0-3. But the Pelicans, in particular, could not afford to lose. They entered the matchup 3.5 games back of the Grizzlies for the eighth seed, and a loss would have put them in a really tough spot considering there are still multiple teams ahead of them. Memphis, meanwhile, is still in control of the eighth, but their advantage is down to 1.5 games after Monday’s defeat.

No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson played in short, five-minute bursts in the first three quarters in accordance with the team’s conditioning plan, but got some extra run in the fourth. Those extra minutes proved to be the difference down the stretch. Williamson scored six straight points late in the fourth to help New Orleans secure the win, and finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.