NBA Cup Ramifications

Since the NBA Cup launched in 2023, no team has advanced from the group stage with more than one loss. That makes Friday’s Southwest Division matchup between Memphis and New Orleans essentially a must-win game for both teams (it’s mathematically possible to win a group or be a wild card with a 2-2 record after pool play, but very unlikely – particularly the latter path).

The Pelicans and Grizzlies played one of the NBA season’s most entertaining games on Nov. 2 in Tennessee, with New Orleans ultimately prevailing 135-134 in overtime. Zion Williamson and Karlo Matkovic led the Pelicans with 25 points apiece, highlighted by Matkovic draining a career-best five three-pointers. For Memphis, point guard Ty Jerome piled up 40 points, but on the final possession of OT, Jerome was forced into firing a tough off-balance deep jumper, with New Orleans forward Trey Murphy defending closely off the dribble.

Both teams are banged up health-wise in Friday’s rematch, including Murphy being among a group of Pelicans rotation members with uncertain status. Memphis will be without starting center Zach Edey, who fouled out Nov. 2 in only 19 minutes, after notching six points and nine rebounds (six offensive boards). Edey was often reluctant on Nov. 2 to leave the paint defensively to run at Matkovic beyond the three-point stripe, but that won’t be part of the equation Friday. Grizzlies center Isaiah Stewart, who logged 28 minutes off the bench Nov. 2, could move into an even larger role (reserve big Quinten Post is also sidelined, in concussion protocol).

“They’re definitely going to be a quicker-paced team without Edey in,” Matkovic said after Friday shootaround. “We’ve got to be physical.”

Matkovic launched a career-most eight three-point attempts against Memphis, as well as four days later vs. Minnesota. He had not taken more than four in any game during the 2025-26 season. In the week of games since, he’s noticed a difference in how opponents are covering him, not giving him as much space to shoot.

“They are definitely much closer,” Matkovic said. “They are going to close out. I appreciate it – it’s great for the team, especially for Zion (Williamson), (Jeremiah) Fears (because it opens up driving lanes for them), guys that want to get downhill. Other players benefit from it.”

West Group B Standings

Minnesota 2-0, +32 … A win on Thanksgiving Eve at OKC plus a loss by Memphis in either of its next two Cup games would clinch the group’s top spot for Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City 1-0, +31 … Thunder rolled to a blowout Cup victory Nov. 6 at Memphis.
NEW ORLEANS 0-1, -6 … Pelicans likely need to win all remaining Group B games to have chance to advance to the knockout stage.
LA Clippers 0-1, -26 … Already in tough spot after Oct. 30 one-sided defeat at Minnesota; host OKC on Friday.
Memphis 0-1, -31 … Like Pels, Grizzlies are effectively in must-win situation for the rest of the Cup group stage.

West Group B Schedule

Friday, Nov. 13: Memphis at NEW ORLEANS, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13: Oklahoma City at LA Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20: NEW ORLEANS at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 25: Minnesota at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 25: LA Clippers at Memphis, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27: Memphis at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27: NEW ORLEANS at LA Clippers, 8:30 p.m.

Previous Game Starting Lineups

MEMPHIS (7-4)

Wednesday loss vs. Denver

Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey

Notes: Edey (ankle) is among several key Grizzlies who will not play Friday. That group also includes Scotty Pippen Jr. (lumbar) and Post (concussion). First-round pick Karim Lopez is on G League assignment. … Memphis began the season at 6-0 prior to losing at home to New Orleans, starting a three-game losing streak. … The Grizzlies are No. 8 in offense (116.4 points per 100 possessions) and No. 9 in defense (110.6). … A third Memphis-New Orleans meeting will take place Dec. 21 in the Blender, part of another Pelicans five-game homestand.

NEW ORLEANS (4-8)

Wednesday loss vs. Brooklyn

Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkovic

Notes: The Pelicans’ injury list expanded this week. Trendon Watford (ankle) will miss his third straight game, while four other players are doubtful: Murphy (patellar), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Bryce McGowens (elbow) and Yves Missi (knee). … The Pelicans are No. 18 in offense (112.1) and have dropped several spots on defense recently, now No. 27 (119.2). … New Orleans leads the all-time series over divisional and regional rival Memphis 47-44, having won each of the last three meetings. The clubs have played into OT four times since April 2023 (three of those games were in the Smoothie King Center).