MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained right ankle to post 22 points and nine assists, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 120-106 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. This win secured Memphis the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, setting them up for a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, which begins on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Morant's availability for the game was uncertain until about 30 minutes before tipoff, as he dealt with the aftermath of an injury sustained during the Grizzlies' play-in game against the Golden State Warriors on April 15. In that game, Morant rolled his ankle after landing on a Warriors player’s foot and was limited to just four points after returning in the fourth quarter.
Despite his injury, Morant was determined to take the court against Dallas. "I couldn't feel it ... so I was out there," he said with a laugh after the game. His performance included a highlight-reel, one-handed slam dunk that drew cheers from his teammates, particularly Desmond Bane, who exclaimed, "Showtime!" as Morant soared high above the rim.
Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo expressed his admiration for Morant's resilience, stating, "I've learned not to doubt him too much. He comes up with some stuff that I'm not sure there's any other human on the planet who can do stuff like that." Morant played 33 minutes, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure, and finished with seven rebounds and three steals in addition to his scoring.
Jaren Jackson Jr. also had a standout performance for Memphis, leading the team with 24 points, while Bane contributed 22 points and nine assists. The Grizzlies shot an impressive 47 percent from the field, including 41.9 percent from three-point range, hitting 13 of 31 attempts.
The game started strong for the Grizzlies, who jumped out to a commanding lead. They scored the first 10 points of the second quarter, extending their advantage to 25 points at one point. However, the Mavericks managed to cut the deficit to single digits with a 27-12 run that spanned halftime, bringing the score to 66-49 at the break.
Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 40 points and nine rebounds, but his efforts were hampered by injuries. He limped off the court in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right calf injury, returning briefly but ultimately not finishing the game. Klay Thompson added 18 points for Dallas, but the team struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Grizzlies squad.
Memphis maintained their lead throughout the second half, stretching it back to 96-80 entering the final quarter. The Mavericks never seriously threatened after that, despite closing the first half with eight straight points.
Looking ahead to their upcoming series against the Thunder, Morant expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete. "We're right where we want to be. We're underdogs. Obviously, we're going to face a tough team like OKC. We have all the confidence in ourselves and we'll be ready," he said.
In the postgame analysis, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the challenges his team faced this season, including the recent trade that sent star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and the season-ending injury to Kyrie Irving. "We had an incredible season when you look at the injuries that we've had, the (Doncic trade), and for us to even be here playing in this game is incredible. It shows the character of that group in the locker room, the fight, and being prepared. It was an incredible season and with the change and injuries, some people were saying we shouldn't be here," Kidd stated.
As the Grizzlies prepare for their first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City, they will aim to break a streak of nine consecutive losses to the Thunder, who have dominated their matchups this season. Morant and his teammates are ready to face the challenge head-on, hoping to turn the tide in their favor.
With the playoffs underway, the excitement is palpable as Memphis looks to make a deep run, fueled by the determination and skill of their star player, Ja Morant.
