Rookie Cedric Coward put on a dazzling display Saturday night in Memphis, lighting up the scoreboard with a career-high 27 points and a flawless six-for-six performance from beyond the arc, as the Memphis Grizzlies rolled past the Indiana Pacers 128-103. It was a much-needed bounce-back for the Grizzlies, who were coming off a rough 146-114 loss to the Miami Heat just the night before—a game in which they trailed by as many as 45 points. But on this crisp October evening, the energy at FedExForum was electric, and the Grizzlies were determined to reset the narrative.
Coward, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft out of Washington State, has wasted no time making his mark on the NBA. He’s now scored in double figures in all three of his professional games, but Saturday’s performance was something special. After a quiet first half, Coward erupted for 22 points in the second, including a third quarter that saw him pour in 15 points and help Memphis break the game wide open. His final stat line: 9-for-13 shooting overall, six-for-six from deep, and a palpable sense that the Grizzlies may have found a new star in the making.
“He’s got confidence, and you can see it in the way he shoots the ball,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins after the game. “Tonight, he gave us exactly what we needed, especially after last night’s loss.”
Ja Morant, ever the dynamic playmaker, chipped in 19 points of his own, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17. The Grizzlies’ offense hummed to life in the second half, but it was their defense and hustle that set the tone early. After a sluggish start, Memphis went on a 17-2 run in the second quarter, turning a close contest into a 60-52 halftime lead. Both teams struggled to find rhythm in the first half, shooting under 45% from the field, but the Grizzlies’ energy on both ends helped them seize control.
For Indiana, it was another tough night on the road. The Pacers, still searching for their first win of the young season, were led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Mathurin, however, exited the game with a sore right foot and did not play in the fourth quarter—a worrying sign as the Pacers face a quick turnaround with a matchup in Minnesota looming less than 24 hours later. Aaron Nesmith contributed 15 points, while Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam each finished with 13. Toppin, in particular, was a bright spot, nearly notching a double-double with nine rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes, leading the team in rebounding and tying for second in scoring.
“Obi gave us a lot of energy tonight, especially on the boards,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “We needed more stops in the second half, but credit Memphis—they made shots and really pushed the pace.”
The Pacers’ night started with promise. After falling behind in the second quarter, they clawed back early in the third, thanks in large part to Mathurin’s hot hand—he scored 10 straight points to open the half and briefly pulled Indiana within striking distance. But that’s when Coward took over, knocking down nearly everything he looked at and helping Memphis stretch the lead to 103-84 heading into the final period. From there, the Grizzlies never looked back, keeping the Pacers at bay and letting the home crowd enjoy a much-needed win.
Saturday’s contest was a tale of two teams at different moments in their early season journeys. For Memphis, the sting of Friday’s blowout loss to Miami was fresh, but the quick turnaround provided an opportunity for redemption. The Grizzlies responded with intensity, using their depth and energy to outpace Indiana, particularly in transition and on the perimeter. Coward’s emergence as a reliable scoring threat alongside Morant and Jackson Jr. could prove to be a major storyline as the season unfolds.
“We all knew we had to come out with more fight tonight,” said Morant postgame. “Last night wasn’t us. Cedric stepped up big time, and we fed off his energy.”
For the Pacers, the loss drops them to 0-2, following a double-overtime heartbreaker against Oklahoma City in their season opener—a game that featured last year’s NBA Finals participants. Fatigue may have played a role, as Indiana’s legs seemed to fade in the second half, and Mathurin’s injury only compounded their woes. With a three-game road trip underway, the Pacers now face questions about their rotation. If Mathurin is unable to suit up against the Timberwolves on Sunday, expect Toppin to see an increased role, perhaps even stepping into the starting lineup.
“We’ve got to regroup quickly,” said Toppin, who has embraced his role as a high-energy contributor off the bench. “It’s a long season, and we know we’re better than what we showed tonight.”
Both teams have little time to dwell on the outcome. The Pacers will try to regroup and notch their first win as they continue their road swing in Minnesota, while the Grizzlies look to keep the momentum rolling when they travel west to face the Golden State Warriors on Monday. For Memphis, the focus will be on building consistency and integrating their promising rookie into an already talented core. For Indiana, health and depth will be key as they search for answers in the early going.
The NBA season is just getting started, but if Saturday night’s action is any indication, fans in Memphis have plenty to be excited about. Cedric Coward’s perfect night from three-point range and his explosive second half have injected new hope into a Grizzlies squad eager to make noise in the Western Conference. As for the Pacers, the road ahead looks challenging, but with young talents like Mathurin and Toppin, there’s reason to believe better days are coming.
Next up, the Pacers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, hoping to turn their fortunes around, while the Grizzlies set their sights on a marquee matchup against the Warriors. The season is young, but the storylines are already heating up—don’t blink, or you might miss the next big moment.
