Ja Morant, Grizzlies eliminate Mavericks to take Western Conference No. 8 seed

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant overcame a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night to advance to the NBA playoffs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 24 points and Desmond Bane added 22 as the Grizzlies turned away several Dallas rallies in the second half.

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket for a slam dunk against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. — Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket for a slam dunk against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Getty Images

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. — Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Getty Images

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) embraces Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) after defeating the Mavericks at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Memphis secured the Western Conference’s eighth seed and will open against top-seeded Oklahoma City in a best-of-seven series beginning Sunday on the Thunder’s home court.

Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 40 points and nine nine rebounds, Klay Thompson added 18 points.

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