MEMPHIS – The Dallas Mavericks entered Sunday’s regular season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies with a glimmer of hope to finish with the ninth seed in the Western Conference.
However, that small window of opportunity shrunk as soon as the shorthanded Mavericks fell into an early double-digit hole that was too much to overcome with several of their key players unavailable.
The Mavericks suffered a 132-97 loss to the Grizzlies and clinched the 10th seed in the West, solidifying a road game in their Play-In Tournament game against the ninth place Sacramento Kings. The game will tip off Wednesday at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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After reaching the NBA Finals just one season ago, the Mavericks finish the regular season with a 39-43 record.
Both the Mavericks and Grizzlies prioritized health over playoff positioning by resting rotation players. Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and Dereck Lively II did not play on Sunday, while the Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Zach Edey.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd addressed the decision to rest four of his five starters during his pregame news conference, citing the hope to stay as healthy as possible for Wednesday’s pivotal win-or-go-home game in Sacramento. The Mavericks also needed the Kings to suffer a loss to the struggling Phoenix Suns in the process for a chance to host their Play-In matchup at American Airlines Center.
“Understanding the minutes those guys played the other night against Toronto and understanding there is a slim chance,” Kidd said before the game. “We’ve been through a lot of injuries. We want to come out this healthy for the best chance if it’s at home or in Sacramento to have an opportunity to win.”
Leaving Memphis unscathed from injury was the ultimate goal, but the Mavericks were dealt yet another blow when Brandon Williams collided with Grizzlies forward Vince Williams Jr at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter. The newly-signed Williams was whistled for an offensive foul, but the aftermath of the encounter was far more detrimental. Before the third quarter began, Williams was officially ruled out of the game with a left oblique strain.
Williams’ injury was the latest in what has been a season full of injuries for the Mavericks, who already lack point guard depth with Kyrie Irving sidelined and Dante Exum still on a minutes restriction from left hand surgery.
Williams, whose contract was converted to a multi-year standard deal on Thursday, said he didn’t know if he’ll be available for Wednesday’s game in Sacramento.
“We’ll take pictures of that tomorrow and have a better answer for you,” Kidd said after the game.
Preparations for the pivotal game in Sacramento have already begun, according to Kidd. The Mavericks finished the regular season series winless against the Kings with three losses. Irving suffered his torn left ACL in a loss to the Kings on March 3. Daniel Gafford, who scored a team-high 20 points with seven rebounds on Sunday, suffered a sprained right knee in a loss to Sacramento on March 10.
“It’s going to be a good matchup,” Gafford said. “It’s win or go home now. We gotta come in ready to play.”
Dallas will have reinforcements for Wednesday with the expected returns of Davis, Washington, Thompson and Lively.
The Mavericks trailed by as many as 39 points late in the fourth quarter after surrendering a seven-point lead with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
With the lopsided loss, the Mavericks’ tumultuous 2024-25 regular season is in the history books and the quest to clinch a postseason berth is officially underway.
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