The Mavs were in the NBA Finals last spring and then added title-tested veteran Klay Thompson in the offseason to aid what they hoped would be another run.

Ja Morant did not practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision for Memphis’ must-win game against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Memphis NBA fans are facing an unprecedented dilemma Friday: Is it better if the Grizzlies win or lose?

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In all ways except the outcome for the Grizzlies and their fans, Tuesday’s play-in was a great game in the rich recent history between these franchises. 

After all the work the team did to erase a large deficit — and after Morant eventually returned to the game with a noticeable limp — it was as painful a finish as the Grizzlies could have imagined.

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Box score: Warriors 121, Grizzlies 116

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Desmond Bane scored 30 points and Ja Morant 22 for Memphis, which will head home to host the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday night.

This is the box score for the NBA play-in game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors on April 15, 2025, at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 

This will be the third iteration of postseason basketball between the Warriors and this era of the Grizzlies. Will it have the same drama?

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington get set for the play-in tournament game between the Grizzlies and Warriors and break down advantages for both teams. 

“Ja (Morant) is definitely a postseason performer and he is going to bring his best game,” Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said. 

Even disappointing seasons — and despite a winning record and a postseason appearance this was one — are woven full of fun and memorable moments.

The Grizzlies have a lot of play-in and playoff battles with the Warriors. Tuesday the teams get together again with a playoff berth on the line.

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Box score: Grizzlies 132, Mavericks 97

Memphis rested its stars, won Sunday’s game and might have gotten some luck by not having to face the Los Angeles Clippers in Tuesday’s play-in game. 

No, the Grizzlies didn’t want to be playing the Warriors in a play-in game. But if you looked around FedExForum Sunday, there was plenty of hope. 

Grizzlies play Tuesday on the road in NBA play-in tournament game. 

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the season-finale for two teams destined for the Western Conference play-in tournament. 

This is the box score for the Memphis Grizzlies regular-season finale against the Dallas Mavericks played Sunday, April 13, 2025.

The Grizzlies listed seven main players as “doubtful” for Sunday’s season finale against Dallas.

With a Memphis loss to Denver on Friday and a Golden State win against Portland, the Grizzlies are headed to a play-in game on Tuesday. Who will they face next?

The sour taste of last season’s injury-filled debacle still exists in the Memphis locker room. The Grizzlies don’t want to view the postseason from a distance again.

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Box score: Nuggets 117, Grizzlies 109

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Nikola Jokic becomes the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, as the Nuggets chip away at the Grizzlies’ game-long lead to finish big.

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

The Memphis Grizzlies acknowledged Jaylen Wells’ multiple injuries stemming from his recent hard fall and addressed his availability status.