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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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.
NO JA MORANT
— Grizz Lead (@Grizz_Lead) January 10, 2024
NO JAREN JACKSON JR.
NO STEVEN ADAMS
NO BRANDON CLARKE
NO SANTI ALDAMA
NO DERRICK ROSE
NO MARCUS SMART IN THE 2ND HALF
THE GRIZZLIES STILL GET THE ROAD DUB.
THEY’VE WON 3 STRAIGHT. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AiR2Tzlsh0
Marcus Smart hitting a three with a completely dislocated finger is just so classic.
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) January 10, 2024
(He led the Grizzlies — who don’t have Ja or Jaren tonight — with 23 points in 21 minutes)pic.twitter.com/xqde7cHwMz
Stepped up in Ja’s absence
— Hozee Sparta® (@SpartaHozee) January 10, 2024
The grizzlies are better without ja lets be real
— Albert (@Pacc24839424414) January 10, 2024
The Grizzlies winning this game basically told everybody that they aren't tanking. It's just not what they do. Great team win tonight! pic.twitter.com/5Rbt9HOkeI
— Joshua (@The_RoyalJoshua) January 10, 2024
The Memphis Grizzlies last two games :
— myke (@NBAMyke) January 10, 2024
121-115 victory over Suns after overcoming a late 13-point defecit while missing Ja Morant.
120-103 victory over Mavericks while missing Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Santi Aldama.
Don’t count Memphis out just yet.
3 straight wins… pic.twitter.com/SOQEhUgkWL
That's an embarrassing loss for Dallas.
— Ringo (@Ringostahh34) January 10, 2024
The Grizzlies will try to continue this improbable success on Friday when they host the Clippers.
