Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Grizzlies vs Mavericks: Will Ja Morant Play Tonight?

Ja Morant missed his team's practice on Thursday due to a sprained right ankle.

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The 2025 Play-in Tournament is going to wrap up on Friday night with a highly anticipated clash between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks. The winner of this game will take the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and set a date with the OKC Thunder in the first round of NBA playoffs.

Both sides locked horns one week back in the regular-season finale, and Memphis routed Dallas 132-97 without Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis was also not part of the game as both sides had already locked their place in the Play-In Tournament.

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The Grizzlies lost the opportunity to clinch the No. 7 seed after losing to the Warriors 121-116. On the other hand, the Mavs looked solid in the elimination game and knocked out the Kings 120-106 to push one more chance for the playoffs. Grizzlies hold the 3-1 advantage over Mavs in the regular-season series but it’s a different game and pressure will be on Memphis on their home court.

Will Ja Morant Play Tonight?

Ja Morant’s availability is not clear for Friday’s matchup due to injury, as he is listed as questionable against the Mavericks. The All-Star guard sustained the injury in the second half of his team’s defeat to the Warriors on Tuesday. However, Morant returned in the fourth quarter, but left Memphis with an injury concern.

Status Report: @memgrizz vs @dallasmavs, April 18: pic.twitter.com/R0bKwDqVj0
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) April 17, 2025

Ahead of the win-or-go-home matchup for the No. 8 seed, Ja Morant wants to play on Friday. He was asked a lot about the ankle and status following the game against the Warriors. He eventually said, “I’m playing. That’s the answer I’m giving. Ain’t nothing different.”

As per ESPN, Memphis guard missed his team’s practice on Thursday due to a sprained right ankle. Morant is reportedly experiencing considerable swelling and has been undergoing round-the-clock treatment.

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“My feeling is that he’ll do absolutely everything he can to play,” Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach told reporters on Thursday. “If he’s physically able to do it, he will do it. It’s a legitimate game-time decision.”

Morant has been crucial for the Grizzlies en route to the Play-In and one win away from the playoffs. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in the regular season.

Apart from Morant, Zyon Pullin (knee), Jaylen Wells (wrist) and Brandon Clarke (right knee) will be out against the Mavericks on Friday.

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.