Grizzlies and Mavericks Clash in Memphis Amid Struggling Starts
The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks met at FedExForum on Friday night in what turned out to be a matchup of two teams desperate to get back on track. Both sides entered the game on losing streaks — the Grizzlies having dropped four straight and the Mavericks coming in after three consecutive defeats — so the stakes were high for both squads looking to regain their footing early in the season.
For Memphis, it’s been a tough start to the campaign, marked by inconsistent shooting and mounting injuries. The Grizzlies came into this one at 3–6, with players like Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Ty Jerome all sidelined. Even so, the focus was on Ja Morant, who returned from a brief suspension and continues to be the heartbeat of this team. He’s averaging 20 points and 7.3 assists per game, though his shooting percentages — just under 40 percent from the field and 14 percent from three — show that he’s still trying to find his rhythm.
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Memphis had just come off a 124–109 loss to the Houston Rockets, a game where they scored the first basket but never led again. Cam Spencer provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, while Santi Aldama added 16. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo, seen animated on the sidelines throughout the contest, continues to search for the right balance between offense and defense.
On the other side, Dallas also entered this matchup short-handed. Anthony Davis missed his third consecutive game due to a calf issue, joining Dante Exum, Dereck Lively II, and Kyrie Irving on the injury list. The Mavericks’ offense has struggled without their star power, averaging just 106 points per game — nearly 15 fewer than the Grizzlies typically allow. In their previous outing, they fell 101–99 to the New Orleans Pelicans when rookie sensation Cooper Flagg’s last-second runner rimmed out. Flagg, now playing at small forward after D’Angelo Russell was shifted to point guard, led Dallas with 20 points and three steals that night.
Despite their record, Dallas still has bright spots. P.J. Washington continues to be a steady contributor with nearly 16 points and nine rebounds per game, while Russell is averaging 13 points and over five assists. The Mavericks entered this contest as 4.5-point underdogs, but the tight odds reflected just how evenly matched these two struggling squads are.
Both teams are also chasing ground in NBA Cup play, with Memphis sitting at 0–1 in West Group B alongside New Orleans, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers have both started 1–0. With so much on the line and both lineups banged up, this game felt like more than just another regular-season meeting — it was a test of resilience and identity.
Fans who tuned in via Fubo or local broadcasts on KFAA and FDSSE got a full dose of intensity, star talent, and urgency from two teams fighting to reverse their early-season fortunes. Whether it’s Morant’s explosive drives or Flagg’s fearless rookie moments, the Memphis vs. Dallas rivalry once again delivered a battle worth watching.
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