A 142-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center on Friday minted a five-game losing streak for the New Orleans Pelicans (4-9), underlining a tumultuous week for the team and roster.

One week earlier, the Pelicans carried a four-game winning streak into their opening NBA Cup game. Eight days and five losses later, the team’s on-court struggles are accompanied by the trade request of guard Dejounte Murray, a one-time All-Star whose Pelicans' tenure has been marred by injuries, inconsistency and recently signs of discontent with the organization.

“Today, Dejounte Murray’s representatives informed us of his request to be traded. We will evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization,” the Pelicans said in a statement Friday.

Murray was not in the building Friday night for the Pelicans, and his absence didn’t help the team’s recent defensive woes.

The Pelicans now have given up 541 points over their previous four games and lost by 31 or more in three straight. The Grizzlies exploited the Pelicans’ defensive weakness to begin Friday night’s game. Memphis scored 35 points in each of the first, second and third quarters, and 37 in the fourth.

The Grizzlies led 70-58 at halftime while shooting 50% from 3-point range. New Orleans cut the lead to single digits with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, when second-year point guard Jeremiah Fears scored six quick points off free throws and drew three team fouls, sending the Pelicans to the bonus. But Memphis opened the game up as New Orleans missed chances on offense and gave up fouls and open threes on defense.

Fears, who started nine games this year alongside Murray, finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. On the season, he’s averaged 18 points and nine assists a game without Murray and 14.3 points and 3.6 assists when the two share the court.

In addition to Murray’s absence, the Pelicans were without two other regular starters — Yves Missi and Trey Murphy. The team reintroduced veteran center Deandre Jordan and forward Saddiq Bey to the starting lineup. In his first start this year after 64 starts last season, Bey became the first Pelican to score 30 points this season, which was a game-high.

Forward Jermai Grant led Memphis with 22 points. The Grizzlies shot 18 of 45 from three and 36 of 41 on free throws.

With its win, Memphis avenged a 135-134 overtime loss to New Orleans on Nov. 2. In that game, the Pelicans halted the Grizzlies' perfect start to the season at six wins. The Pelicans will hope to avoid a six-game losing streak on Saturday night when they host the Denver Nuggets, a team they’ve lost to twice this season.