The NBA saw major shifts in momentum on Monday as the Memphis Grizzlies lost their undefeated status and superstar Luka Doncic continued a historic scoring tear. High-scoring performances from Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defined a night of significant upsets and standout individual efforts across the league.

How did the Grizzlies lose their streak?

The New Orleans Pelicans ended the Memphis Grizzlies' franchise-record six-game winning streak with a 135-134 overtime victory. Zion Williamson led the way for New Orleans with 25 points and 11 rebounds, scoring nine points during the extra period.

Memphis' Ty Jerome nearly salvaged the game with a 40-point performance, but a 15-foot shot attempt missed in the final seconds of overtime. The Pelicans' win marks their third consecutive victory following a difficult 0-4 start to the season. Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley noted the team's ability to stay poised, stating that the victory was achieved "by committee."

Luka Doncic and other standout performers

In Los Angeles, Luka Doncic fueled a 138-117 Lakers win over the Miami Heat. The Slovenian guard recorded 42 points and 13 assists, marking his fourth 40-point game of the season. Other notable individual performances included:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Scored a season-high 43 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112.
  • Alperen Sengun: Recorded 26 points and 10 assists in a Houston Rockets victory over the Boston Celtics.
  • Darius Acuff Jr.: Tallied 25 points to secure the Sacramento Kings' first win of the season.

Context and team availability

Several storylines emerged regarding player availability and team struggles. The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their win despite being shorthanded, as Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace are sidelined with long-term injuries. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings became the last team in the league to secure a win after starting the season 0-6. The Pelicans have maintained their recent winning streak despite the absence of Dejounte Murray, who has missed several games for personal reasons.

What is next for these teams?

With the Grizzlies no longer undefeated, the race for early-season dominance is tightening. The Lakers have now secured six wins in their first eight games, while the Sacramento Kings have finally broken their losing skid. The Pelicans continue to find rhythm through a rotation that includes Karlo Matkovic, who recently achieved a career-high 25 points.