Morant's 35 leads Grizzlies past Pelicans in opener with late basket

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant scored 35 points and hit a go-ahead basket with 32.9 seconds remaining as the Memphis Grizzlies overcame an early deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-122 in the season opener on Wednesday night at FedExForum.

The Pelicans led by as many as 15 in the first half and took a 67-56 advantage into the break, but Memphis responded in the third quarter. A 27-6 run was part of a 41-22 third-quarter outburst that gave the Grizzlies a 97-89 lead entering the fourth. Morant finished with 35 points, and seven Memphis players reached double figures in scoring.

Jaren Jackson Jr. provided a defensive anchor with 18 points, eight rebounds and six blocks in 27 minutes before fouling out. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 15, and rookie Cedric Coward was 5-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line for 14 points, a flawless shooting night notable for a first appearance of that kind by a rookie with at least 10 points, according to game statistics. Olivier-Maxence Prosper also contributed late free throws as the Grizzlies closed out the win.

New Orleans was led by Zion Williamson, who finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, five steals and five...