Grizzlies Beat Mavericks With Seven Players Injured and NBA Fans Were Amazed
If the Memphis Grizzlies had lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, few NBA fans would have faulted them. The Grizzlies had seven players out of the lineup due to injury.
In addition to Ja Morant, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, the Grizzlies are also without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke for the remainder of the 2023–24 campaign. Jaren Jackson Jr. missed Tuesday’s game with a knee contusion, joining Derrick Rose, Santi Aldama and Jacob Gilyard on the sideline.
Memphis even lost an eighth player during Tuesday’s game when Marcus Smart dislocated a finger on his right hand.
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Bane led a shorthanded Grizzlies team to a statement win over the Mavericks.
Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports
However, the Grizzlies blew out the Mavericks, 120–103, led by Desmond Bane’s 33 points. Smart added 22, shooting 4 of 8 from three-point range, before leaving with his injury. Kyrie Irving scored 33 for Dallas, with Luka Dončić adding 31, yet that wasn’t enough against a shorthanded Memphis squad.
NBA fans couldn’t believe the result. Some are wondering if this demonstrates that the Grizzlies could be a playoff team despite missing so many players and a 14–23 record that has them No. 13 in the Western Conference standings.
The Grizzlies will try to continue this improbable success on Friday when they host the Clippers.
