Ja plays through injury as Grizz lock up 8-seed

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Ja Morant overcame a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night to advance to the NBA playoffs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 24 points and Desmond Bane added 22 as the Grizzlies turned away several Dallas rallies in the second half.

Memphis secured the Western Conference's eighth seed and will open against top-seeded Oklahoma City in a best-of-seven series beginning Sunday on the Thunder's home court. The Grizzlies have lost nine straight to the Thunder by an average of 16.9 points per game, including four straight by double figures this season.

Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 40 points and nine rebounds, Klay Thompson added 18 points.

Morant delivered a thrilling start that included a high-flying, one-handed slam of a dunk that had Bane yelling "Showtime!" at him in celebration as Morant elevated so high his eyes were level with the rim.

"I couldn't feel it ... so I was out there," Morant,who scored 12 points in the first half, said of his sprained ankle.

Morant had been listed as questionable earlier Friday as the training staff worked to get him ready to play. His status was officially announced about 30 minutes before the tip.

Morant was injured in the third quarter Tuesday night at Golden State with the No. 7 seed on the line. Morant rolled the ankle coming down on Buddy Hield's foot. Morant limped off the court and returned in the fourth quarter when he was held to four points as the Grizzlies lost 121-116.

Friday night, Morant occasionally limped to the free throw line, but that was about the only sign he was playing hurt. He finished with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals before interim coach Tuomas Iisalo pulled his starters in the final couple minutes to get some rest.

Morant wound up playing 33 minutes helping the Grizzlies finish off a wire-to-wire win.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.