Grizzlies Sting the Mavs in Play-In Thriller!
Okay, so the Memphis Grizzlies just sent the Dallas Mavericks packing in a seriously intense Play-In game last night. The final score? 120-106, a pretty decisive win for Memphis. The Mavs came in feeling pretty good after beating the Kings, all healthy and confident. But, man, the Grizzlies were just on another level.
The Grizzlies' Roar
From the jump, Memphis was all over them. Ja Morant, despite that bum ankle, was electric! Seriously, that one-handed putback dunk? Unbelievable. Desmond Bane was hitting shots consistently, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was a force down low. They built a huge lead early, and honestly, it kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck for the Mavs after that.
And then there’s Zach Edey. Who saw *that* coming? Pre-game, the analysts mentioned his potential, but his performance was insane. He pulled down 15 points and 11 rebounds! The guy was a rebounding machine.
The Mavs' Last Stand
Luka Dončić had a monster game, dropping 40 points. That’s Luka being Luka! Klay Thompson also chipped in 18, playing much better than his previous Play-In performance. But even with those huge numbers, and solid contributions from Brandon Williams and Naji Marshall, it just wasn’t enough to keep up with Memphis’ balanced attack.
You know, the absence of Kyrie Irving (knee surgery) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist surgery) really hurt Dallas. It definitely shifted their game plan.
Playoff Picture
The Grizzlies’ win means they’re the 8th seed in the West, facing off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. For the Mavs? Their season is over. Brutal. It really highlights how incredibly competitive the NBA is this year; one game can change everything.
And let's not forget: The Mavs are now looking at a potential high lottery pick in the 2025 draft. That’s something to consider for their future.
What's Next?
This Play-In game was wild! The Grizzlies showed their depth and power, while the Mavericks' season ended with a few big question marks hovering around their offseason plans. The Grizzlies have a tough playoff road ahead, and the Mavs have a whole lot of soul-searching to do. Either way, get ready for another exciting NBA season next year! This year certainly didn’t disappoint!
