Grizzlies’ Isaiah Stewart gives Zion Williamson the finger wag after wild dunk rejection appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been the NBA’s best feel-good story to begin the 2026-27 season. Mostly expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA as they formally begin their rebuild following the departure of Ja Morant this offseason via trade, the Grizzlies have surprised everyone by winning all of their first six games to begin the new campaign.
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On Monday, the Grizzlies are looking to achieve lucky win number seven at home against a New Orleans Pelicans team that has won two consecutive outings. It has been a hotly-contested game throughout, with Memphis leading by just three at the half, 62-59, but they pulled off one of the most exhilarating plays of the night courtesy of Isaiah Stewart.
With around four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Williamson got the step on Cameron Boozer and looked to throw it down to extend the Pelicans’ lead to eight. The Grizzlies big man, however, was having none of it. He stuffed Williamson’s dunk attempt and even wagged his finger a la Dikembe Mutombo after that epic rejection.
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This play clearly gave the Grizzlies so much momentum. From being down by six, 53-47, they took a three-point lead into the halftime interval — a nine-point swing.
Stewart’s block encapsulates what makes this Grizzlies team so dangerous. They will not finish the season unbeaten, but they may as well threaten for a playoff spot since every player knows his role and plays it to a T.
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The Grizzlies also have so much depth across multiple positions that the team rarely, if ever, suffers a drop-off even as they deploy the bench. Zach Edey typically has the job of anchoring the team’s defense, but Stewart, as a legitimate enforcer in the NBA and an underrated shot-blocker, can also do a job for the team when given the opportunity.
Stewart, in 10 minutes off the bench against the Pelicans in the first half, has five points, two rebounds, and two blocks.
Related: Pelicans vs. Grizzlies injury report: Trey Murphy III listed as Memphis guns for 7-0 record
Related: Grizzlies get multiple injury updates for Kings clash
