Grizzlies Advance to Playoffs After Overtime Win Over Mavericks

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies secured their spot in the NBA playoffs with a decisive 120-106 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, marking the conclusion of the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2025. This win propelled the Grizzlies into the first round, where they will face the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ja Morant led Memphis with an impressive performance, contributing 22 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds despite concerns over an ankle injury. Memphis dominated the game from the start, taking an early lead and maintaining control throughout.

In stark contrast, the Mavericks concluded a disappointing season, finishing with a 39-43 record and missing the playoffs entirely after entering with championship aspirations. Anthony Davis was a standout for Dallas, scoring 40 points despite battling discomfort from a groin injury.

Morant’s highlight plays defined the matchup, including a thunderous putback dunk that set the tone for Memphis. “It was all about the team effort tonight,” Morant said post-game. “We came out ready to play, and we needed this win to keep our season alive.”

The Mavericks fell behind by as many as 25 points and struggled defensively, allowing the Grizzlies to score 66 points in the first half alone. Despite a brief comeback attempt cutting the lead to seven points in the third quarter, Dallas could not recover.

The Grizzlies’ strength in the paint was evident as they outscored the Mavericks 60-44 in that area, capitalizing on their size advantage with players like Jaren Jackson Jr. contributing 24 points. “Our team played with heart and intensity. We focused on sticking to our game plan,” Jackson Jr. commented.

A disappointing end to the Mavericks’ season comes just days after a controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić away for defensive help. General Manager Nico Harrison stated before this game, “Defense wins championships,” but the results showed otherwise. The Mavericks allowed Memphis to exploit flaws in their defense consistently.

As the Grizzlies celebrate their return to the playoffs, they made history by advancing as the first No. 8 seed to defeat a playoff opponent after winning both play-in games on the road. Memphis now looks ahead to a challenging series against Oklahoma City, a team they have not defeated since December 2022.

Game 1 against the Thunder will take place in just a matter of hours, setting the stage for another exciting chapter in the NBA postseason. “We’re ready for the challenge,” Morant asserted. “No one expected us to get here, but we believe in each other.”