Can Grizzlies advance to NBA Cup knockout stage? Here's what needs to happen

Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo often talks about playing as a collective unit. A Nov. 26 matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans may be one of the best examples the Grizzlies have had of that this season.

Vince Williams Jr. made game-changing plays on both ends, and so did Jaren Jackson Jr. Zach Edey owned the paint, and Jaylen Wells was looking like the high-level shot-making guard he showed signs of becoming last season.

All of those players and more were needed in the Grizzlies' 133-128 NBA Cup overtime victory over the Pelicans (3-16) at Smoothie King Center.

Williams finished with five points, 17 assists and and two steals. Jackson led the Grizzlies (7-12) with 27 points, and Wells added 21.

Edey played after leaving a Nov. 24 game with a head injury that was eventually revealed as a migraine. He finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.

The win over the Pelicans (3-16) keeps the Grizzlies alive in the NBA Cup. While the Los Angeles Lakers have already clinched the group, Memphis has a chance to advance to the knockout stage as a wild card.

Eight teams will advance — four from each NBA conference — to the knockout stage quarterfinals. Games will be played on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. The 22 other NBA teams will have two games added to their schedule against other teams who did not make the quarterfinals.

Memphis plays its last NBA Cup group matchup and next regular game on Nov. 28 (9 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network) against the Los Angeles Clippers.

All NBA teams will have played all four of their group games by the end of that day. Here are the scenarios for Memphis to advance:

A much-needed win for Grizzlies

Any scenarios for the Grizzlies advancing to the knockout stage is irrelevant without a win against the Clippers. Like Memphis, the Clippers (5-13) have struggled in the regular season, but they have an identical 2-1 record as the Grizzlies in group play. The loser will automatically be eliminated.

The Grizzlies would have been eliminated with a loss to the Pelicans.

The Clippers are led by NBA stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

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A win simply won't be enough for the Grizzlies. They'll need to win a tiebreaker in point differential against another team that will finish with a 3-1 record.

The Grizzlies' group, West Group B, has been decided. West Group C will be decided in a game between the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. The loser will be eliminated, and the winner will advance.

The key game to watch for the Grizzlies' chances will take place between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns. Since both teams are 3-0 in West Group A, the winner will advance to the quarterfinals, and the loser will be in a tiebreaker scenario with the Clippers or Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies have a plus-nine point differential. OKC is at plus-71, and Phoenix is at plus-35.

It will be difficult for the Grizzlies to catch either of those teams, but the Suns are the most realistic option. Memphis will need a win and at least a 27-point difference in results between its games and a potential Suns loss.

For example, if the Suns lose by six points against the Thunder, the Grizzlies will need to win by 20 over the Clippers.

The wildcard winner would play on the road against the West group winner with the highest point differential.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Can Grizzlies advance to NBA Cup knockout stage? What must happen next