Grizzlies defeat Luka Doncic-less Mavs as Ja Morant returns to bench

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The Memphis Grizzles took care of business at home against the Dallas Mavericks Monday night. 

Memphis trailed Dallas by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter but prevailed behind Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 28 points, including a clutch layup with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Santi Aldama added 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Desmond Bane finished with 17 points for Memphis. 

The Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic, who missed his fifth game due to left thigh soreness, blew a 16-point third-quarter lead and were outscored 29-12 in the fourth. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with a team-high 28 points, but he went 0-for-8 from the floor in the final 12 minutes. 

Irving wore a "precautionary" boot during his postgame interview after reaggravating a right foot injury in the third quarter, which could have attributed to his poor fourth-quarter performance.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, shoots in the second half of a game in the return Monday, March 20, 2023, of Ja Morant, right, in Memphis.  (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

JA MORANT BREAKS SILENCE ON VIRAL VIDEO WHERE HE FLASHED GUN AT CLUB: 'NOT WHO I AM'

Ja Morant did not suit up for Monday's game, but he sat on the bench to support his team in the win. Following Memphis' loss to the Nuggets March 4, Morant flashed a handgun on Instagram Live at a strip club near Denver. He was later suspended for eight games without pay. 

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, center right, hugs Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving after a game Monday, March 20, 2023, in Memphis.  (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

The Grizzles have gone 6-3 in Morant's absence, but they hope to get the 2020