The Memphis Grizzlies snapped their losing streak in dramatic fashion Friday night, toppling the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 in a high-stakes NBA Cup matchup that showcased the best of Ja Morant and rookie sensation Cedric Coward. The win not only gave Memphis a much-needed morale boost but also deepened the Mavericks’ early-season woes, dropping Dallas to a troubling 2-7 record.
Grizzlies Dominate Early, Never Look Back
From the opening tip, the Grizzlies played with a sense of urgency that’s been missing in recent games. Ja Morant, the team’s electrifying point guard, set the tone with a double-double—21 points and 13 assists—marking his first 20-point, 10-assist performance of the season. Rookie Cedric Coward matched Morant’s scoring output, adding 21 points on efficient shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and nearly notched a double-double himself with nine rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 17 points, while Santi Aldama added 16, helping Memphis build a commanding 74-51 halftime lead. The Grizzlies’ offense was crisp and confident, connecting on 10 of 21 three-point attempts in the first half—a stark contrast to their season-long struggles from deep.
Mavericks’ Offense Falters Without Anthony Davis
Dallas, meanwhile, continued to search for answers on both ends of the floor. Playing their fourth straight game without star forward Anthony Davis (out with a left calf strain), the Mavericks struggled to generate consistent offense. Max Christie led Dallas with 18 points, Naji Marshall contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, and rookie Cooper Flagg—the top pick in last summer’s draft—added 12 points and six boards.
The Mavericks’ shooting woes persisted, especially from long range, where they remained below
20% in the first half. Despite a brief third-quarter rally, Dallas never seriously threatened Memphis’ lead, trailing by as many as 35 points before trimming the deficit in garbage time.
Ja Morant’s Leadership Shines
After the game, Morant credited the team’s improved focus and energy, starting with a locked-in practice the day before. “Everybody pretty much came in locked in… we came into our jaw through scout team thing earlier today and we had the same energy, same mentality and you see how it translates,” Morant said in his walk-off interview. He emphasized the importance of ball security and crisp passing, noting that when the Grizzlies take care of the ball, “we get good shots” and players “shoot with confidence”.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
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Memphis Grizzlies: The win lifts Memphis to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in West Group B play for the NBA Cup. They’ll look to build on this momentum as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
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Dallas Mavericks: Now 2-7, Dallas faces mounting pressure to turn things around, especially with Anthony Davis still sidelined. They’ll try to regroup quickly as they visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
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Ja Morant and Cedric Coward were the stars, each scoring 21 points and energizing a Grizzlies squad desperate for a win.
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Dallas’ offensive struggles—especially from three-point range—continue to haunt them, with the absence of Anthony Davis looming large.
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Both teams entered the game on losing streaks, but Memphis’ hot start and improved shooting proved decisive.
The Grizzlies’ emphatic win could mark a turning point in their season, while the Mavericks are left searching for answers as their early-season slide continues.
Sources
1. MAVERICKS at GRIZZLIES | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS - YouTube
2. Roundtable: Is it time to sound the alarm for the Dallas ...
3. Dallas Mavericks now 2-7 to start season after 118-104 loss to ...
4. Figuring out where to go from here as a Dallas Mavericks fan
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6. On dribble penetration and the abysmal Mavericks offense
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11. Covers.com - Sports Betting Odds, Lines, Picks & News 2025
12. Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975)
