Grizzlies beat Pelicans 120-109 for 1st NBA Cup win in franchise history

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 27 points and seven assists as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 on Friday evening for their first NBA Cup win in franchise history.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 23 points and eight rebounds for Memphis, while Santi Aldama added 20 points and went 8 of 9 from the field.

CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 30 points, and Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy added 21 points apiece.

The win was Memphis' fifth straight, while the Pelicans have lost seven straight and 13 of 14.

New Orleans was playing without key players such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans' top-two scorers, along with Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado.

Pelicans: With major players out with injuries, the Pelicans relied on their backcourt duo. Murray, who called the 26-point loss to Toronto on Wednesday an embarrassment, held up his end with help from McCollum and Murphy, but rookie Yves Missi was the only other player in double figures with 16.

Grizzlies: Memphis racked up 72 bench points in its previous win over Detroit on Wednesday and was already halfway to that total at the midway break. While the Pelicans were dealing with absences, Memphis had 11 players with significant minutes.

The Pelicans had cut into the double-digit deficit in the third quarter, but a pair of baskets by Jackson and a 3-pointer by Jake LaRavia put Memphis up 15.

Memphis, which leads the league averaging 30 assists a game, handed out 36 assists on its 47 baskets. The combination allowed the Grizzlies to win their first ever NBA Cup game after going 0-4 in 2023's inaugural tournament.

The Pelicans travel to New York to play the Knicks on Sunday, the same day Memphis ends a four-game homestand against Indiana.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) defends against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, left, in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) handles the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) and guard Ja Morant in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) tries to stay inbounds in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have made a habit of winning games in the most improbable of ways.

The way they beat the Raiders on Friday still had Patrick Mahomes and Co. shaking their heads in disbelief.

The two-time MVP watched from the sideline as Las Vegas drove within range of a winning field goal with 15 seconds left, only to botch the snap on its final offensive play, allowing the Chiefs to escape with a 19-17 victory that also secured their 10th consecutive playoff berth — the second-longest streak in NFL history.

“Obviously a big stop in a big moment that got us the win,” Mahomes said.

The Raiders (2-10) had taken over at their own 8-yard line with just under two minutes to go, and quarterback Aidan O'Connell quickly moved them across midfield, eventually spiking the ball at the Kansas City 32 to stop the clock.

Rather than try for the winning field goal — Daniel Carlson had missed three from 50-plus — the Raiders lined up to run a play, hoping to gain a few yards with a throw to the sideline before time expired. But amid the roar of Arrowhead Stadium, center Andre James snapped the ball when O'Connell wasn't expecting it, and it bounced off the QB's shoulder. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton pounced on it, and the recovery stood when a flag on the play turned out to be an illegal shift by the Raiders.

“I actually didn't watch,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said of the fateful play. “That last play there was a lot going on, from the officiating to the flags to the ball being snapped.”

Mahomes finished with 306 yards passing and a touchdown, and fill-in kicker Matt Wright made four field goals for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (11-1), who won their NFL record-extending 14th consecutive one-possession game.

Like many of them, including last week's last-second win over Carolina, the Chiefs seemed to be in no mood to celebrate.

“I mean, we just hold ourselves to such a high standard. We don’t feel like we’re playing our best football,” Mahomes said. “We have to find a way to build up to play great (as) a full, entire team. It’s awesome that we’re finding ways to get wins. That’s what you’re going for. But our goal is to get to the Super Bowl.”

The Raiders had a chance to take the lead earlier in the fourth quarter, too, when O'Connell drove them across midfield. But the Chiefs forced three incompletions — George Karlaftis and Justin Reid batted down two — to bring up fourth down.

Carlson headed onto the field, but his 58-yard try with 2:21 remaining never got near the uprights.

O’Connell finished with 340 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Raiders, who have lost eight of nine to their bitter AFC West rivals. Brock Bowers had 10 catches for 140 yards and one of the scores.

“These guys battled until the very end, until the clock hit zero,” Pierce said. “They believed we were going to win and fought their (butts) off to the very end. All phases contributed to help us get in that position, but Aiden did hell of a job. He stayed in the pocket, made big-time throws for us, pushed the ball down the field. The numbers say what they’re going to say. I’m proud of my team, our team. I'm proud of the fight. We came up short yet again against the world champs. Twice now.”

The hapless Raiders were able to hang around thanks to the same problems that have plagued the Chiefs much of the season: Their offensive tackles were unable to give Mahomes time to throw, their secondary kept breaking down and they committed too many penalties — three on one offensive possession alone.

In fact, Mahomes was under extreme duress when he found Justin Watson from 6 yards out late in the first half. The pass not only gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead but sent the two-time MVP past Len Dawson with his franchise-record 328th TD throw.

O'Connell, thrust back onto the field when Gardner Minshew broke his collarbone last weekend, got off to a slow start after missing a month with a broken thumb. But as the Chiefs continued to kick field goals, O'Connell found his rhythm, eventually slinging a pair of touchdown passes to give Las Vegas the lead.

The first was to Bowers, already one of the most productive rookies in NFL history, with 1:40 left in the third quarter. Then, after the Chiefs went three-and-out, O'Connell hit Tre Tucker with 58-yard strike on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs answered with Wright's fourth field goal to take a 19-17 lead with about 10 minutes to go.

A whole lot was still to transpire before that was the final score.

“The win was a positive here. These things are hard to get, especially against this crew,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They do a nice job against us it seems every time we play them. It comes right down to the end.”

Chris Jones had two sacks for Kansas City. He had not had one the previous seven games. ... Las Vegas has trailed by double digits in every game this season. ... Mahomes had gone 113 straight starts without being sacked five-plus times. Carolina and Las Vegas have done it in consecutive weeks. ... The Raiders were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Raiders: WR DJ Turner left in the second half with a knee injury.

The Raiders visit Tampa Bay on Dec. 8.

The Chiefs welcome the Los Angeles Chargers the same night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) celebrates with Matt Araiza (14) after a field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Las Vegas Raiders place kicker Daniel Carlson (2) misses a field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Las Vegas Raiders place kicker Daniel Carlson (2) reacts after missing a field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) celebrates after a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansan city Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks with side judge Dave Hawkshaw (107) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) hits the ground after catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) throws against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)