The Mavs had Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the lineup but could not overcome a flat performance against the undermanned Grizzlies.

In continuation of a seven-game homestand, the Dallas Mavericks produced a flat performance, losing 120-103 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. headlining a lengthy injury report for the Grizzlies, the Mavs could not take care of business, dropping to 22-16 on the season, while Memphis improved to 14-23.  

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored over 30 points for the second consecutive game. Doncic totaled 31 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals overall, while Irving had 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and one block. Those contributions proved insufficient to control the game despite its early success. 

Doncic opened the game toying with the Grizzlies’ defense, connecting with Dwight Powell on a late lob followed by a step-back 3-pointer. Kyrie Irving got in on the action, hitting three short-range pull-ups between pick-and-roll, isolation, and post-ups. Dallas began with a 15-9 lead. Dallas’ early rhythm did not sustain. 

The Grizzlies went on a run to take an 18-16 lead, never falling behind for the remainder of regulation. With a physical defensive approach, picking up Doncic early in possessions and getting into the ball, Memphis’ momentum continued, growing its lead to 27-18 with 2:32 left in the opening quarter. 

The Mavs briefly deployed Grant Williams as a small ball center to open the floor, resulting in Doncic getting to the rim for a finish. However, Dallas still was unable to turn things around. Irving checked in for Doncic, with Memphis leading 27-20. The Grizzlies led by as many as 22 points in the first half, proving too much for Dallas to overcome in the second half. 

There were some glimmers of hope for the Mavs after the break, but Dallas Irving hit a pull-up 3 and then got to the rim to make it a 12-point game, but the Grizzlies continued to have an answer. Smart converted from the perimeter to push Memphis back up 18 at the 7:38 mark of the third quarter. 

Irving converted from beyond the arc to bring the Mavs within 11 points midway through the third period. Still, an inability to close a defensive possession prevented them from making it a single-figure game. Memphis went to the free throw line after drawing a shooting foul, making both attempts. 

A dunk from Jaden Hardy in transition made it a 10-point game, but Bane immediately answered with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in transition. He followed it up with another, extending the Grizzlies’ edge to 16 points late in the quarter. 

Doncic, who went to the locker room a few times, played through an ankle issue throughout the game. He entered the game listed as probable with right ankle swelling after dealing with the injury over the past week. He checked into the game with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter, with Dallas down 91-77. 

The Grizzlies’ physicality continued to pose problems for the Mavs on both ends, resulting in unfavorable outcomes in the paint. On a night when Dallas was creating an uncharacteristically low perimeter shooting volume, the team could not use 3-point shooting prowess to overcompensate. Memphis led 103-83 entering the final period. The trend of not managing to get stops 

Doncic tried to spark momentum for the Mavs early in the fourth quarter by attacking the paint, scoring six of the team’s first 10 points of the period. With a continued inability to get defensive stops down the stretch, the closest Dallas came for the remainder of regulation was 13 points after Doncic made two free throws. Bot of Dallas’ superstars checked out for the final time with 3:03 left to play.