Grizzlies vs Mavericks Play-In 2025
Well, that’s a wrap for the Dallas Mavericks’ season—and wow, what a wild and disappointing ride it’s been. After entering the year with sky-high expectations and whispers of championship potential, the Mavs are now packing for the offseason, bounced out of the Play-In by a hungrier and tougher Memphis Grizzlies squad.
Let’s break it all down.
Table of Contents
💥 Grizzlies Bring the Heat Early, Never Let Up
Coming into Friday night, the big question was: Would Ja Morant play? And if he did, how healthy would he really be?
Turns out, he was plenty healthy.
Morant wasted zero time proving the doubters wrong, throwing down a highlight-reel putback dunk in the first quarter and never looking back. He finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists—and more importantly, his energy and aggression set the tone from the jump.
Memphis dropped 66 points in the first half, slicing through the Mavs’ defense like it wasn’t even there. Remember when Dallas made that big move and said it was all about “defense wins championships”? Yeah… not so much.
😬 Mavs Collapse Caps Off One of Their Worst Seasons Ever
This wasn’t just a bad loss—it was the exclamation point on one of the most disappointing seasons in the franchise’s 45-year history.
The Mavs got punched in the mouth early and never really recovered. Sure, they made a little run in the third quarter, cutting a 25-point lead down to seven. But that’s as close as it got.
The Grizzlies just had more size, more energy, and—let’s be honest—more heart. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a beast, putting up 24 points, and Desmond Bane matched Morant with 22 of his own. They dominated the paint, outrebounding Dallas 50-36 and scoring 60 points inside compared to Dallas’ 44.
💔 Anthony Davis Ballin’ Through Pain… But Alone
You have to give Anthony Davis credit. The guy was clearly limping and dealing with a groin injury, yet he gutted it out and dropped 40 points on 16-of-29 shooting. Unfortunately for him (and the Mavs), he was pretty much a one-man show.
P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II didn’t score a single point. Yes, you read that right. Zero.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies played like a complete unit. They moved the ball better (30 assists to Dallas’ 25), shot more efficiently from deep (42% vs. 32%), and just plain wanted it more.
📉 From NBA Finals to NBA Lottery
The Mavericks made the Finals last season. Now? They’re headed to the lottery. It’s a historic fall-off—and not in a good way.
Only a few teams in NBA history have pulled that off. Most of them lost their superstar to retirement or free agency. Dallas? They traded Luka Dončić, betting big on a future with Anthony Davis. That move is already aging like milk.
Even fans are still trying to make sense of it:
🗣️ “If you’re worried about injuries, how do you trade Luka for Anthony Davis?” – Tyler P.
🗣️ “This trade will haunt the franchise for years.” – Bay V.
🔮 Grizzlies Get OKC Next (And It’s Been a Minute)
With this win, Memphis earns the 8-seed and a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Fun fact: The Grizzlies haven’t beaten the Thunder since December 2022.
A lot has changed since then—OKC’s starting five that night included guys who won’t even be suiting up in this series.
Still, the Grizzlies are hoping to make history. Only six No. 8 seeds have ever knocked off a No. 1 in the NBA Playoffs. Can Memphis become lucky number seven?
🧮 Draft Pick Fallout: Wizards Cash In
Here’s the twist: The Wizards just got a win too.
Memphis’ victory means their 2025 first-round pick (thanks to the Marcus Smart trade) officially conveys to Washington. And it’s a good one. Depending on Monday’s tiebreaker, the pick will land somewhere between 18 and 20.
Add that to their own lottery pick (which can’t fall below No. 6), and Washington suddenly has a nice pair of assets heading into the draft.
📊 Final Stats Snapshot
Final Score: Grizzlies 120, Mavericks 106
Top Scorers:
- Memphis: Jaren Jackson Jr. – 24 pts
- Dallas: Anthony Davis – 40 pts
Rebounds: Memphis 50, Dallas 36
3PT Shooting: Memphis 41.9%, Dallas 31.6%
Turnovers: Dallas 16, Memphis 12
📝 Final Thoughts
The Mavericks now enter the offseason with more questions than answers—and a fanbase that’s still reeling from one of the most bizarre and painful trades in recent memory.
As for the Grizzlies, they’ve battled through adversity all season long. Now, they’re one step closer to pulling off a massive upset.
Game 1 against OKC is in 37 hours. Don’t miss it.
Who won the Grizzlies vs. Mavericks 2025 Play-In game?
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks with a final score of 120-106 in the NBA Play-In Tournament, securing a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
What were Ja Morant’s stats in the game?
Ja Morant finished the game with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, despite playing on a recently injured ankle. His performance was a major factor in Memphis’ win.
3. How did Anthony Davis play against the Grizzlies?
3. How did Anthony Davis play against the Grizzlies?
Anthony Davis scored 40 points on 16-of-29 shooting. However, he was visibly dealing with a groin injury throughout the game and got very little offensive help from his teammates.
Why did the Mavericks miss the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
The Mavericks missed the playoffs due to a combination of injuries, poor defensive execution, and a controversial midseason trade involving Luka Dončić. Their loss to Memphis in the Play-In sealed their fate.
Who will the Grizzlies face in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
The Grizzlies will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, in the first round of the playoffs.
Has Memphis ever upset a 1-seed before?
Yes. The Grizzlies upset the No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, making this their second attempt at a historic upset as an 8-seed.
What are the draft implications of this game?
Because Memphis won, their 2025 first-round pick (from the Marcus Smart trade) will now convey to the Washington Wizards. That pick will fall somewhere between 18th and 20th overall, depending on tiebreakers.
When is Game 1 between the Grizzlies and Thunder?
Game 1 of the Grizzlies vs. Thunder playoff series is scheduled for Sunday, just 37 hours after the Play-In game ended.
Where can I watch NBA Playoff games live?
You can watch NBA Playoff games on major networks like ESPN, ABC, TNT, and via streaming platforms like NBA League Pass, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV (check your local listings for availability).
