Ja Morant Thrills Fans amid Injury as Grizzlies Beat Mavs to Clinch NBA Playoff Berth

An ankle injury wasn't enough to keep Ja Morant out of the playoffs.

Morant, who is dealing with what ESPN's Shams Charania described as a "severe ankle sprain," put up 22 points to help lift the Memphis Grizzlies to a 120-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Friday night's play-in action.

The Grizzlies have now claimed the final spot in the playoffs and a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Morant suffered his ankle injury in the third quarter of the Grizzlies' Tuesday play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Charania reported that Morant received an injection to combat the swelling in his ankle on Thursday. He sat out practice that day and was a game-time decision on Friday.

Morant ended up helping the Grizzlies climb out to an early lead with the first 15-point, five-rebound, five-assist and three-steal first half of his career, according to the ESPN broadcast.

Despite appearing visibly hurt from the second quarter onwards, Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 40 points.

The Mavs pulled within seven points in the third, but the Grizzlies regained a comfortable lead thanks to a big third quarter from Jaren Jackson Jr. before cruising to victory in the fourth.

Zach Edey finished out the night with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Jackson and Desmond Bane each topped 20 points for the victors.

The Grizzlies' depth was enough to convince some fans Morant and his team will be able to go on a run even, when faced with the top team in the West as a first-round opponent.

The Mavericks are meanwhile headed home without a playoff berth one season after Luka Dončić led the team to the NBA Finals.

While Dallas faces questions about offseason turnover, the Grizzlies will prepare to tip off Game 1 on Sunday in Oklahoma City at 1 p.m. ET.