Anthony Davis and Ja Morant spark early scuffle in intense Memphis Grizzlies-Dallas Mavericks play-in duel

• Anthony Davis and Ja Morant trade fiery words in early clash during high-stakes Grizzlies-Mavericks play-in showdown.
• Anthony Davis drops 40 points but can't save Mavericks from elimination as Grizzlies dominate from start to finish.
• Ja Morant delivers all-around performance to lead Memphis past Dallas and into playoff battle with top-seeded Thunder.

The intensity of Friday night’s NBA play-in showdown between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks went far beyond the scoreboard. Before the first quarter even settled, fans witnessed a fierce faceoff between two of the league’s standout talents— Anthony Davis and Ja Morant. In a high-stakes elimination game, the two stars had a tense exchange that sparked discussion among fans online.

Anthony Davis and Ja Morant engaged in a verbal exchange during the Dallas Mavericks vs Memphis Grizzlies showdown
Anthony Davis and Ja Morant went nose-to-nose following a hard foul. “I’ll guard you though,” Davis said, inching closer to Morant, who was quick to fire back, “Yeah, come on.” Davis didn’t back down, responding, “You know I’m [not] going nowhere, you know that.” Morant repeated, “Come on,” as officials stepped in. The trash talk didn’t escalate into anything more than words, but the moment stole the spotlight. It was a battle for the last playoff spot in the West, and neither was ready to blink.

ANTHONY DAVIS & JA MORANT TALKING SMACK!

AD: “I’ll guard you, though!”
Ja: “Come on! Come on!” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/u5ifB5W5SL

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) April 19, 2025

But that wasn’t the only heated moment involving Davis. With the Grizzlies storming to a 66-41 lead late in the second quarter, frustration seemed to boil over. As Davis walked off the court toward the locker room before halftime, he reportedly exchanged words with a fan. According to several sources, Davis had to be held back by a Mavericks security officer after trying to confront the heckler.

Anthony Davis went to the locker room before the halftime buzzer sounded. Not sure what was said, but he also had an exchange with a fan before walking into the tunnel. He approached the fan, but he was held back by a Mavs security officer.

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) April 19, 2025

On the court, Davis was virtually unstoppable. He finished with 40 points on 16-of-29 shooting, including 2-of-7 from long range. He also grabbed 9 rebounds and added 3 blocks, doing everything he could to keep Dallas in the fight. However, with a -18 plus-minus rating and minimal support from his teammates, Davis’ solo brilliance wasn’t enough to avoid elimination. The Mavericks fell 120-106 in a game that slipped away early and never fully tilted back in their favor.

On the other side, Ja Morant may not have had the cleanest shooting night, but his contribution was also crucial for the win. He scored 22 points on 7-of-24 shooting and made just one of five from three, but was perfect at the foul line, going 7-for-7. He also added 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Also Read: Memphis Grizzlies eliminate Dallas Mavericks in play-in decider despite Anthony Davis’ 40-point showdown

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 34-14 lead in the first quarter and survived a late rally to seal the win. As Memphis now shifts focus to the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, their playoff journey begins with the latest play-in victory at the FedExForum in Memphis.