MEMPHIS, TN – The Memphis Grizzlies emphatically secured their place in the NBA Playoffs, crushing the Dallas Mavericks in a 120-106 victory Friday night, extinguishing Dallas's postseason hopes and capping off what can only be described as a tumultuous season for the Mavericks. The Grizzlies' wire-to-wire dominance at FedExForum propelled them to the Western Conference's eighth seed, setting up a first-round clash with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
From the opening tip-off, Memphis asserted control, establishing a commanding 25-point lead in the first half. The Mavericks, despite a valiant 40-point effort from Anthony Davis, never truly threatened the Grizzlies' grip on the game. Ja Morant orchestrated the Grizzlies' offense with precision, contributing 22 points and nine assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. led all Memphis scorers with 24 points. Desmond Bane also chipped in with 22 points, forming a potent offensive trio that Dallas simply could not contain.
Davis's herculean performance for the Mavericks, which included nine rebounds to accompany his 40 points, ultimately proved insufficient. Adding insult to injury, Davis appeared to aggravate a calf issue late in the fourth quarter, limping to the bench and effectively signaling the end of Dallas's fight. Klay Thompson added 18 points for the Mavericks, and Brandon Williams provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, but the supporting cast around Davis struggled to find consistency against a determined Grizzlies defense.
The Grizzlies' victory was a team effort, with all five starters reaching double figures in scoring. Zach Edey continued his strong play-in tournament, notching a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed 13 points, highlighting the depth and balance of the Memphis roster. Memphis's dominance in the paint was a key factor, outscoring Dallas 60-44 in that area, and their offensive rebounding advantage of 16-7 further underscored their physical superiority.
This decisive win propels the Grizzlies into a highly anticipated first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 is slated for Sunday at noon CT in Oklahoma City, a matchup that will test the Grizzlies' mettle against the Western Conference's regular-season powerhouse. For the Mavericks, the loss marks the end of a season marred by inconsistency and the shadow of the mid-season trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers – a move that clearly failed to deliver the anticipated results in Dallas.
The Grizzlies' triumph over the Mavericks was part of the NBA play-in tournament's final stage, which also saw the Miami Heat secure a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. As the playoff bracket solidifies, the Grizzlies look to carry their momentum into a challenging series against the Thunder, while the Mavericks are left to ponder the offseason and rebuild after a season that fell far short of expectations.
