The Memphis Grizzlies are headed back to the playoffs after a season marked by injuries and turmoil.
The Grizzlies convincingly clinched the eighth seed in the NBA playoffs, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 in a win or go home game of the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.
Memphis dominated the first quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 39-24 with a 22-9 run in the final three minutes. They extended their lead to as many as 25 points in the second quarter, holding a 66-49 halftime advantage.
Although Dallas gained momentum in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to seven points, the Grizzlies maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
Memphis dominated inside, outscoring the Mavericks 60-44 in paint points and out-rebounding them 50-36, with 16 offensive rebounds to Dallas’ 7. The Grizzlies also outscored Dallas 24-14 in points off turnovers.
As the Grizzlies’ season hung in the balance, Jaren Jackson Jr. sent a purposeful message to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
“Setting the tone, I felt like us three were pretty much locked [in] the whole time,” Morant said, referring to himself, Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane. “As soon as the Warriors game was over we pretty much locked in on what we had to do to get to this point. Trip [Jackson Jr.] sent us a little paragraph earlier. Me and Des responded and it pretty much was enough said. We already knew what we were going out there to do.”
The players didn’t disclose the exact content of Jackson Jr.’s message, but Desmond Bane said it resonated with him and likely with Ja Morant as well.
“We’ve had a nice little group chat running all year long, and we’ve been able to pinball different things off each other,” Bane said of Jackson’s text message. “And I needed to hear it. I’m sure Ja needed to hear it, too, coming into this game.
Bane continued, “Our response was, ‘Let’s march; let’s do it. Let’s put our best foot forward; let’s go do it.
Neither player was ready for their season to end.
Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points, going 10-for-18 from the field and 4-for-5 on threes, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists in 36 minutes.
Morant was a game-time decision due to a sprained ankle he suffered against Golden State on Tuesday. Despite the injury, he received two injections, constant treatment, and therapy to play and finished with 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in 32 minutes.
Desmond Bane scored 22 points, dished out nine assists, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals. Zach Edey notched his second straight double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, adding two blocks.
Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 13 points in his second straight start, while Santi Aldama contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists as a reserve.
Off the bench, John Konchar tallied five points, eight rebounds, and two assists, with a team-high +18, and Marvin Bagley III posted six points, five rebounds, and one block.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will take on the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the NBA Playoffs.
The Thunder went 4-0 against the Grizzlies in the regular season, winning by an average of 18.8 points per game.
Mark your calendars. Note: All times are Central.
Game 1: Sunday, April 20 | Grizzlies at OKC, 12:00 p.m. on ABC
Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 | Grizzlies at OKC, 6:30 p.m. on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network
Game 3: Thursday, April 24 | OKC at Grizzlies, 8:30 p.m. on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network
Game 4: Saturday, April 26 | OKC at Grizzlies, 2:30 p.m on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network
Game 5: Monday, April 28 | Grizzlies at OKC, TBD (if necessary)
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | OKC at Grizzlies, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | Grizzlies at Jazz, TBD (if necessary)
