Ja Morant checked his phone after Friday's win over New Orleans. There was a text from one of his former AAU teammates, proud of a defensive play the Memphis Grizzlies star guard made against Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray.

Ja Morant had 27 points and seven assists as the Memphis Grizzlies held a double-digit lead through most of the second half defeating the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 in an NBA Cup game.

Ja Morant is likely to play on Friday against New Orleans. He has crushed the Pelicans in recent games, scoring 30-plus points in four of the last five meetings.