The Dallas Mavericks took on the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Monday night. Both teams entered the game with losing skids, with Dallas wanting to snap a four-game losing skid and Memphis wishing to snap a two-game losing skid. The Mavericks lost to the Grizzlies 119-104 in Memphis, Tenn. Dallas fell to 20-16 and dropped five straight games, while Memphis improved to 24-13 and earned a win.
PJ Washington Jr. led the Mavericks with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Naji Marshall followed up with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Klay Thompson added 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jaden Hardy had 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Dereck Lively II scored 14 points, 12 rebounds, and one assist.
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies Recap
The Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies game was action-packed from start to finish. The Mavericks ruled out Luka Doncic with a left calf strain, Kyrie Irving with a lumbar back sprain, Dante Exum with right wrist surgery, and Jazian Gortman and Kessler Edwards with NBA G League designations. The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, PJ Washington Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II.
The Grizzlies ruled out Ja Morant with a right AC joint sprain, Santi Aldama with a right ankle sprain, Marcus Smart with a right finger injury, Luke Kennard with right hamstring soreness, Vince Williams Jr. with a right ankle sprain, and GG Jackson II with right fifth metatarsal repair. The Grizzlies’ starting lineup featured Scottie Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, John Konchar, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Edey.
The first quarter saw the Mavericks’ fast start. Klay Thompson scored an early bucket and Spencer Dinwiddie and PJ Washington Jr. followed with three-pointers. The Grizzlies’ woes included turnovers. The Mavericks led 36-26 at the end of the first. The second quarter saw the Grizzlies’ late 16-7 run. The Mavericks praised Naji Marshall’s versatility, while the Grizzlies commended Brandon Clark’s rim finish. The Grizzlies took a 56-55 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw the start of Jaden Hardy’s contributions. Hardy gave the Mavericks an offensive spark with a field goal. The Grizzlies’ offense maintained their dominance. The Grizzlies held on for an 87-80 lead through three quarters. The fourth quarter was fairly tame, but Thompson made it rain with three-pointers, and Jaylen Wells out-waited Naji Marshall to make an and-one. The Grizzlies won 119-104 in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks-Memphis Grizzlies Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies game had many highlights, such as The Smoking Cuban’s recent post about the Mavericks’ illness. Quentin Grimes told reporters, “I couldn’t even get out of bed, it ran through the whole team. I think J-Kidd and them got it… We haven’t been practicing as much because you don’t want to pass that around… I ain’t ever seen nothing like it, even in high school, college, everybody getting sick...”
For the Mavericks, Sporting News recently reported the Mavericks could acquire Kevin Durant if a three-team blockbuster trade takes place. If so, Durant to Dallas, PJ Washington Jr., Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy, Dereck Lively II, Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and Mavericks’ 2025 first-round pick would all be up for grabs. The right to swap the Mavericks’ 2031 pick, the Lakers’ 2025 and 2027 second-round picks to Phoenix, and Klay Thompson to the Lakers.
For the Grizzlies, Sporting News recently reported the Grizzlies can acquire Jimmy Butler if the Grizzlies opt to enter the Butler sweepstakes. If the decision is final, the Grizzlies would finalize a trade with the Miami Heat — and Memphis would receive Butler, Kevin Love, and Haywood Highsmith, while Miami would receive Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. Memphis is unlikely to carry out the trade due to uncertainty.
Final Thoughts
The legitimate-looking Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 134-122 win over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Friday night. The Cavaliers looked exactly like the team with the best record in the NBA, while the Mavericks missed their star backcourt duo of Doncic and Irving. The Cavaliers won nine of their last 10 games, while the Mavericks’ losing streak was extended to four games.
The Mavericks’ inability to score has been a head-scratcher during their recent breakdown on the court. The Mavericks had to correct things before the Cavaliers arrived at the American Airlines Center but couldn’t. The Mavericks’ offensive struggles partially stem from Doncic’s absence, but their remaining roster had strong scoring options. Yet, the Mavericks’ shooting, sharing the ball, and the number of turnovers were lacking.
The Mavericks’ kid reporter, Graham Lawson, made a lasting impression on Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd ahead of Friday’s game. Lawson asked Kidd if he preferred coaching or playing, what it was like to have one of the best backcourts in the NBA, and what it was like to have one of the “Splash Brothers” — Klay Thompson — with the Mavericks. Lawson then asked Kidd what his New Year’s resolution was and what his favorite NBA road city was.
The Mavericks will return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers in the first game of a four-game homestand starting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Central. The Mavericks vs. Lakers matchup will be the Mavericks’ second game of a back-to-back. The Lakers previously took on the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Sunday before traveling north from Houston to Dallas. The Lakers fell to the Rockets 119-115 in regulation.
