Williamson loses shoe, but Pelicans get key 109-99 win

Brandon Ingram scored 24 points and the New Orleans Pelicans got a much-needed 109-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday despite another Zion Williamson shoe incident.

Williamson had 23 points, seven rebounds and tied a career high with five assists in his most extensive playing time since returning to the NBA bubble.

Williamson drove the lane in the third quarter and landed awkwardly, losing his left shoe. However, the big man quickly put the shoe back on and remained in the game. It brought back memories of when the then-Duke freshman sensation injured his knee in February 2019 when his foot ripped through the side of his shoe as he attempted to plant his foot.

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) misses a shot at the buzzer over New Orleans Pelicans' Nickeil Alexander-Walker (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

After being limited to a combined 29 minutes in his first two games since the restart, Williamson played 25 minutes, although he appeared to get fatigued when he didn't hustle back on defense and was taken out with 6 minutes to play. But he returned a short time later and helped the Pelicans close on a 12-6 run.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 22 points for the Grizzlies, who fell to 0-3 since the NBA restart. Ja Morant struggled from the field, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-21 shooting.

Lonzo Ball had called it a “must-win game" after the Pelicans lost their first two games since the restart, dropping them to 11th place in the Western Conference standings.

Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots between New Orleans Pelicans' Nicolo Melli (20) and Jaxson Hayes (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Now they’re 2 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Grizzlies. The ninth-place team can qualify for a play-in matchup against the eighth-place team as long as it is within four games. The Pelicans still need to move past the Spurs and Trail Blazers to get to ninth place.

TIP-INS:

Grizzlies: Morant took a knee to the groin as he attempted to defend Ball, who was elevating as he drove to the basket. Morant remained in the game after spending about a minute on the floor. ... Grayson Allen had another impressive night with 17 points off the bench on five 3-pointers.

Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) gets a dunk in front of New Orleans Pelicans' Josh Hart (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Pelicans: Made just 24 of 39 free throws. Even JJ Redick, a 91 percent free throw shooter, missed back-to-back free throws at one point.

UP NEXT:

Grizzlies: Play Utah on Wednesday.

Pelicans: Play Sacramento on Thursday.

Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks (24) tries to get past New Orleans Pelicans' Nicolo Melli (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) brings the ball up court New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Memphis Grizzlies' De'Anthony Melton (0) brings the ball up court under pressure from New Orleans Pelicans' Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Members of the New Orleans Pelicans kneel for the National Anthem prior to the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Members of the Memphis Grizzlies kneel for the National Anthem prior the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) shoots in front of Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) has his shot blocked by Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) as he shoots over Grizzlies' Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant (12) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans' Derrick Favors (22) and Zion Williamson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) brings the ball up court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP PhotoAshley Landis, Pool)