The Memphis Grizzlies weathered a furious Dallas comeback to secure the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with a 120-106 victory in Friday’s high-stakes play-in game. What began as a blowout turned into a nail-biter before Memphis ultimately pulled away, setting up a David vs. Goliath first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
JA MORANT MY GOODNESS 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/HFalGZPeMo
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2025
Memphis Comes Out Swinging
From the opening tip, the Grizzlies played like a team with everything to lose:
- First quarter explosion: Built 34-14 lead behind Morant’s 12-point opening salvo
- Balanced attack: All five starters scored double-digits (Jackson Jr. 24, Morant/Bane 22 each)
- Defensive intensity: Forced 8 first-half turnovers leading to 14 fastbreak points
The Grizzlies’ hot start proved crucial when Dallas mounted their inevitable comeback.
Mavericks’ Valiant Comeback Falls Short
Dallas clawed back from 25 down to make it 75-68 in the third behind:
- Anthony Davis’ heroics: 40-point, 9-rebound masterpiece (31 of Dallas’ first 68 points)
- Second-half adjustments: Switched to zone defense that temporarily flustered Memphis
- Veteran poise: Cut lead to single digits despite two starters (Lively, Washington) being scoreless
“Credit to Dallas – they’re too talented to stay down,” said Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. “But our guys showed championship-level resilience when it mattered.”
Three Defining Storylines
1. Morant’s Ankle Passes the Test
After turning his right ankle Wednesday, the star guard:
- Played 38 minutes through visible discomfort
- Delivered highlight-reel dunk (29-14 lead)
- Contributed everywhere: 22 pts, 9 ast, 7 reb, 3 stl
“Adrenaline takes over in these games,” Morant said postgame while icing the joint.
2. Dallas’ Offseason Crossroads
The loss amplifies questions about the Mavericks’ future:
- Lingering fan frustration over Luka Dončić trade
- Kyrie Irving’s ACL rehab timeline (out until December)
- Supporting cast inconsistencies (only 3 players scored 10+)
GM Nico Harrison faces pressure to retool around Davis this summer.
3. Thunder Present Ultimate Test
Memphis now faces a 68-win Oklahoma City team featuring:
- MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- League’s #1 defense (107.3 rating)
- 33-8 home record
But the Grizzlies are no ordinary 8-seed – they went 35-16 before midseason injuries derailed them.
What’s Next?
- First-round schedule: Game 1 @ OKC Sunday (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
- Key matchup: Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Chet Holmgren paint battle
- Health watch: Morant’s ankle, Bane’s minutes restriction (back from calf strain)
For Dallas, an early exit accelerates critical decisions about Harrison’s future and potential roster moves around Davis. Meanwhile, Memphis embraces the underdog role – a familiar position for this gritty squad.
“We’ve been counted out all year,” said Desmond Bane. “Why stop now?”