On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks returned to action with preseason game No. 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Mavericks lost 121-116 to the Grizzlies, reducing Dallas’s record to 0-1. Memphis improved to 1-0. Jaden Hardy led the team with 21 points, three rebounds, and nine assists in 34 minutes.
The Mavericks appeared ready for a fresh start this upcoming season, as their previous look appeared to show them pulling with equal intensity in opposite directions last season. The team’s night-to-night performances often varied, as some players missed plenty of time due to persistent injuries.
The Mavericks won 16 of their final 20 regular-season games, thanks to the NBA’s second-best defense in that 20 regular-season game span. But the Mavericks’ success stopped adding up in the 2024 NBA Finals, as the Boston Celtics aggressively held off the Mavericks complementary players.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies Summary
The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Memphis Grizzlies in a Monday night home game. The Mavericks were without four starters, and Klay Thompson was ruled out ahead but wasn’t battling an injury. The Mavericks’ offseason made headlines, including ESPN’s Tim Legler’s recent compliment that the team not only tweaked their roster but also added major components.
The Grizzlies took a 4-3 lead to open the first quarter, but the Mavericks quickly grabbed a 6-4 lead on Jaden Hardy’s three-pointer. The Grizzlies led 32-29 after one. The Grizzlies were down by three late in the second quarter, but a last-minute surge, along with free throws, tied the game 60-60 at the end of the first half.
The Mavericks opened the second half with a quick three-pointer in the third quarter. The Grizzlies left fans in awe with Ja Morant’s fancy finish. Morant’s past few years were affected by off-the-court issues, but Morant can redeem himself. The Mavericks couldn’t hit a game-tying three-pointer, and the Grizzlies led 93-90 after three.
Hardy and Olivier-Maxence Prosper continued to fight for playing time in the fourth quarter. Both the Mavericks and Grizzlies exchanged leads and ties, but the Grizzlies came out on top and ultimately defeated the Mavericks 121-116 in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies’ Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies preseason game was full of highlights, such as Dereck Lively II serving as the Mavericks’ starting center. Lively II’s growth this summer, new role with the team, and excitement about competing for an NBA championship are on the radar, but we’ll see how things go this year.
The Grizzlies emerged from an intense, three-day training camp at Ensworth High School in Nashville, covered a significant amount of ground, and looked to get out of the five preseason games healthy. However, injuries and roster changes set records in recent times rather than playoff wins.
The Grizzlies’ high expectations in the Western Conference can be attributed to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart, who are expected to share the floor in a regular-season game for the first time since January 2024. The Grizzlies were previously eliminated from NBA playoff contention for the first time since 2020.
In Case You Missed It
Several Dallas Mavericks headlines made the news this past weekend. On Friday, Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie reportedly saw his current team as an “embarrassment of riches,” referring to his team’s talent on top of talent. On Sunday, Mavericks fans got their first look at Klay Thompson joining Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at the Mavericks’ Fan Jam open practice at the American Airlines Center.
At the Mavericks’ Fan Jam, Doncic hit a full-court shot, a one-handed hook from just outside the restricted circle, and reportedly won a $100,000 bet against Dereck Lively II. Doncic’s full-court shot was just one of many shots he has made in the past, and his nickname “Luka Magic” wasn’t given to him without a reason.
The Mavericks’ Mavs Business Assist (MBA) program returned for its third year. The MBA program offers diverse business owners opportunities to flourish thanks to its five in-person networking and mentorship sessions between October 2024 and March 2025. The MBA program’s ending will feature a vendor fair in May 2025.
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