On Tuesday night, Desmond Bane’s 32 points guided the injury-plagued Memphis Grizzlies past the Dallas Mavericks, 120-103.
With 13 of the final 18 points scored in the third quarter, Bane assisted the Grizzlies in establishing a 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter in their first game back since learning of the season-ending shoulder injury suffered by leading scorer Ja Morant.
Due to Morant’s injury, the Grizzlies (14-23) have fallen behind 2-0. Marcus Smart missed a significant portion of the second half. Smart exited the contest with a dislocated finger on his right hand with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter.
“It was amazing. “Obviously, I am incredibly proud of the group in light of everything that has occurred over the past twenty-four hours,” said Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins. “This team’s victory ranks among the most remarkable of the entire season. Our men appeared and performed to our satisfaction and with great elation. “I thought it was incredible how they all came together.”
Smart tallied 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting prior to his injury. Before departing the game, he made four 3-pointers, one of which was from the left wing and gave Memphis an 18-point lead. He subsequently returned to the bench while covering his right hand with an ice compress. Jaren Jackson Jr. was unable to participate due to a contusion in his right knee.
Likewise, the Mavericks (22-16) were plagued by injury concerns. Due to an ankle injury, leading scorer Luka Doncic was intermittently absent from the contest. A heavy foul that landed him on the ground in the first half caused him to leave the game briefly.
Following a brief absence in the locker room, he rejoined the team for the last seven minutes of the initial half. Late in the third quarter, he exited the game once more, this time proceeding to the locker room before returning to the bench. His final tally was 31 points. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 points.
