Jaren Jackson Jr. and Luke Kennard powered the Memphis Grizzlies to a 139-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Memphis improved to 30-15 while securing its fifth consecutive win.

Jackson Jr. led the charge with 29 points, including 15 in a dominant third quarter where the Grizzlies outscored the Pelicans 43-29. Kennard provided a significant boost with 27 points, shooting 7-for-9 from beyond the arc and 10-for-14 overall.

Desmond Bane contributed across the board with 20 points and a career-high 14 assists. The Grizzlies were efficient offensively, hitting 55.4% of their shots and an impressive 45.2% from three-point range.

The Pelicans, now 12-33, saw strong performances from Dejounte Murray, who finished with 26 points, and CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III, who added 22 points each. Jordan Hawkins chipped in 20 off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to stop Memphis’s second-half surge.

New Orleans opened strong, riding a hot backcourt to a 71-62 halftime lead. Murray scored 17 first-half points, and McCollum added 15. However, their offense faltered after the break as Memphis clamped down defensively and ramped up their pace.

Memphis’s bench also played a pivotal role. Brandon Clarke scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. added 13 points and three assists. The team dominated in second-chance points, taking advantage of 16 offensive rebounds.

The game was notable for missing marquee stars from the 2019 draft class, as Zion Williamson and Ja Morant were both unavailable. Williamson continued his reconditioning process, while Morant recovered from an illness.

Despite the loss, the Pelicans’ role players showed flashes of promise. Hawkins hit four three-pointers, while Javonte Green contributed eight points and five rebounds in limited minutes.

With the win, Memphis continues to solidify its position near the top of the Western Conference. New Orleans, on the other hand, faces mounting challenges as it struggles to find consistency.