Mavericks vs Grizzlies 2025 Play-In Results: Memphis Wins 120-106, Anthony Davis Highlights

Mavericks vs Grizzlies 2025 Play-In Results: Memphis Wins 120-106, Anthony Davis Highlights

 

April 18, 2025 | Memphis, TN – The Memphis Grizzlies punched their ticket to the 2025 NBA Playoffs, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 in a decisive Western Conference Play-In Tournament game at FedExForum on Friday night. The victory earns Memphis the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, while Dallas’ turbulent season ends in disappointment.

 

Grizzlies’ Balanced Attack Overpowers Mavericks

Memphis showcased a complete team effort, with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way with 24 points, including four three-pointers, and seven rebounds. Ja Morant, shrugging off a questionable status due to a right ankle sprain, delivered 22 points and nine assists, electrifying the home crowd with a highlight-reel putback dunk in the first quarter. Desmond Bane matched Morant’s 22 points and added nine assists, while rookie Zach Edey dominated the paint with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 66-49 halftime lead, capitalizing on their size advantage and outscoring Dallas 60-44 in the paint. A critical third-quarter surge, sparked by Jackson’s back-to-back threes, pushed the lead to 25 points, and Dallas never recovered. Memphis shot 48.9% from the field and 37.5% from three, while forcing 16 Maverick turnovers.

 

Anthony Davis’ Heroics Not Enough for Dallas

Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of Dallas’ controversial Luka Doncic trade, battled through a left adductor strain to pour in a season-high 40 points and nine rebounds, shooting 16-of-29. Despite his dominance, the Mavericks lacked firepower, with Klay Thompson managing 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting and Brandon Williams adding 16 off the bench. The absence of Kyrie Irving (ACL injury) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist surgery) left Dallas shorthanded, and their 31.6% three-point shooting (12-of-38) couldn’t keep pace.

Dallas, the No. 10 seed with a 39-43 record, briefly cut the deficit to seven points in the third quarter, but Memphis’ depth and home-court advantage (26-15 at FedExForum) proved too much. The Mavericks’ 17-25 road record and defensive lapses, allowing 66 first-half points, sealed their fate.

 

Play-In Context and Season Struggles

Memphis (48-34) entered as 6.5-point favorites after losing to the Golden State Warriors in their first Play-In game, while Dallas rode momentum from a 120-106 upset over the Sacramento Kings. The Grizzlies won the regular-season series 3-1, including a 132-97 rout on April 13, highlighting their edge over a Mavericks team reeling from injuries and the Doncic trade fallout. Fans on X expressed frustration, with one calling Dallas’ season “a collapse after the Finals.”

 

Dallas’ season unraveled after a promising 19-10 start, derailed by Doncic’s calf strain and Irving’s injury. The trade for Davis, while yielding a star, couldn’t salvage a playoff run, marking the first time since the 2019-20 Warriors that a Finals team missed the playoffs the following year. Memphis, despite firing coach Taylor Jenkins midseason, leaned on Morant’s return and Edey’s emergence to secure their postseason berth.

 

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Memphis now faces a daunting challenge against the Thunder, with their first-round series starting Sunday. The Grizzlies aim to become the seventh No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed, a feat they last achieved in 2011 against the Spurs. For Dallas, a long offseason looms, with questions about GM Nico Harrison’s future and a projected $100 million loss. However, optimism surrounds Davis’ health and Irving’s expected return in January 2026.

Keywords: Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA Play-In 2025, Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Luka Doncic trade