Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies (12) dishes off a pass as Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin defends during the first half of Friday night's NBA play-in game, April 18, 2025, in Memphis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Memphis Grizzlies stamped their place in the NBA playoffs Friday night with a 120-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Despite carrying an ankle injury from Tuesday’s clash against Golden State, Ja Morant stepped onto the court with determination, scoring 22 points and dishing out nine assists to help his team advance.
With this win, Memphis clinched the eighth seed in the Western Conference and now prepares to face the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder. The first game of the series is set for Sunday, taking place on Oklahoma City’s home turf.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge for Memphis with 24 points, while Desmond Bane also delivered strong support, adding 22. The Grizzlies came out strong, building a commanding lead early in the game. They entered halftime with a 66-49 advantage, thanks to their consistent shooting and solid defence.
For Dallas, Anthony Davis carried the scoring load, pouring in 40 points and collecting nine rebounds. However, his night took a worrying turn late in the game when he limped off with a suspected calf issue. Though he returned for a brief stint, he didn’t finish the contest.
Klay Thompson added 18 points for the Mavericks, but the team lacked rhythm from the start. Dallas had earned their shot against Memphis after beating Sacramento earlier in the week, but they couldn’t match the Grizzlies’ energy and fast-paced attack on Friday.
At one point, the Grizzlies built a 25-point cushion in the first half. But the Mavericks showed some fight, going on a 27-12 run that trimmed the gap to single digits in the third quarter. However, Memphis refused to let the game slip away. They tightened up their defence, hit key shots, and pushed the lead back to 96-80 by the start of the fourth. From there, they never looked back.
Zach Edey chipped in with a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Scotty Pippen Jr. also made his presence felt with 13 points, adding depth to Memphis’ already well-rounded performance.
The Grizzlies played with grit and shared the ball well, using their speed and movement to outplay a tired-looking Mavericks squad. Every time Dallas tried to rally, Memphis answered with quick scoring bursts and defensive stops.
Now, with their playoff ticket punched, the Grizzlies will turn their focus to a new challenge—taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in what promises to be a high-energy, best-of-seven showdown.
