Jaden Hardy Earns First NBA Start in Mavs' Loss vs. Grizzlies

In the first part of a two-game home-and-home series between the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, the Grizzlies came out on top.

MEMPHIS — On Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks took on the Memphis Grizzlies in a matchup that featured superstars like Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Kyrie Irving all being sidelined for various reasons. It was the Grizzlies that won with 112-108 as the final score.

As a result of the loss, the Mavs drop to 34-34 on the season, while the Grizzlies improve to 40-26. In a loaded Western Conference playoff race, Dallas continues to rack up concerning losses at the wrong time, as if there is ever a right time for such a sequence. 

When a key player is ruled out, naturally, it opens an opportunity for a player to step in and make an impact in a larger role. Jaden Hardy is a prime example as he earned his first NBA start as a result of Doncic and Irving being ruled out. 

Neither team managed to generate much separation from each other for much of the game, but particularly in the first half. The Grizzlies held a 27-23 lead at the end of the first quarter with the Mavs using a balanced offensive approach. 

With some key players sidelined, the Mavs had to balance having enough defensive impact on the floor while still having enough offensive firepower on the floor. It worked well enough in the first half as the Mavs trailed just 54-50 at the break. 

The Mavs established a 79-73 lead with 1:55 remaining in the third quarter after they had stayed hot from beyond the arc for a stretch. The execution sustained for them to hold an 83-76 edge entering the final period, finishing the frame with a needed 12-point scoring differential. 

Some hot perimeter shooting from David Roddy posed problems for the Mavs in the fourth quarter. He almost single handily rallied Memphis back into the lead until Hardaway answered back with a 3-point make of his own. Roddy didn't relent. A made corner 3-pointer at the 4:05 mark cut it back to one. 

The Grizzlies initially took the lead using a Desmond Bane pull-up from mid-range with 3:22 left to play. Hardy later tied it up with a step-back jumper from deep, putting him at 20 points on the night. Bane's made 3-pointer with about one minute remaining extended Memphis' advantage to four, which proved to ultimately be the difference. 

Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 23 points and four makes from 3-point range. Dallas received a combined 43 points from Hardy (22) and Green (21) in addition. It ultimately wasn't enough to overcome the Grizzlies on their home floor in the end. 

The Mavs return to action on Monday when they take on the Grizzlies once again, but this time, it will be at the American Airlines Center. 

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here.

Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow Grant Afseth on Twitter.