If there’s one thing Skip Bayless won’t miss, it’s a chance to troll a team like the Dallas Mavericks — especially after a postseason meltdown.
Following the Mavericks’ 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament, the FOX Sports analyst dropped a spicy jab on social media. And just like that, the internet had its moment. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, punched their ticket to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-round series. Let’s break it down.
Mavericks Collapse and Skip Bayless Brings the Smoke
For a brief stretch in Friday’s game, it looked like the Mavericks might pull off the impossible. Down by 25, they ripped off a 27-12 run between the second and third quarters to cut the lead to single digits. But that’s when Memphis slammed the door shut, building a 96-78 lead by the end of the third. Dallas never seriously threatened again.
Anthony Davis led the way with 40 points and nine rebounds, but exited in the fourth quarter with a sore calf. He returned briefly but wasn’t the same. Klay Thompson added 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to lift Dallas. After beating the Sacramento Kings earlier in the week, the Mavericks simply didn’t have the legs or firepower to hang with Memphis.
And that’s when Skip Bayless, never one to hold back, took his shot. He jumped on X and threw a jab the Mavericks’ way: “The Mavericks wanted no part of the Thunder. Can’t blame ’em,” Bayless wrote.
The Mavericks wanted no part of the Thunder. Can’t blame ‘em.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless)
If you know anything about Bayless, you know he loves to stir the pot. But one thing’s for sure: his trolling game is still as sharp as ever.
Ja Morant Shines, Grizzlies Advance to Round 1 Showdown vs. Thunder
The Grizzlies came out hot Friday and never let up. Ja Morant, playing through a sprained right ankle suffered in Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, dropped 22 points and dished out nine assists.
Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even guaranteed to suit up. With the 120-106 win, the Grizzlies claimed the West’s final playoff spot and are now set to take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Morant wasn’t alone in the effort. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points, Desmond Bane scored 22, and rookie big man Zach Edey tallied a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Scotty Pippen Jr. chipped in 13 points as the Grizzlies’ starters dominated across the board. Memphis got contributions from everyone — something Dallas couldn’t match while leaning heavily on Davis.
Now, the Grizzlies roll into Round 1 with momentum, while OKC waits with fresh legs. Things are about to get spicy in the West. As for Dallas, it’s back to the drawing board — and maybe dodging whatever Skip Bayless posts next.
