The writing is on the wall for the Memphis Grizzlies to begin their run to the NBA Playoffs in the play-in game(s). While currently sitting in the eighth seed position that would require them to play on the road in the first play-in game, the odds are stacked against them from making a jump to a home game as the seventh seed in the regular season finale.
Of the 16 different Western Conference Playoff and Play-in scenarios between seeds four through eight, the Grizzlies can only gain the seventh seed in two of those scenarios. They need the Minnesota Timberwolves to lose to the Utah Jazz (tied for worst record in the NBA) at home, and the Grizzlies need to beat the Dallas Mavericks at home.
However, with such low odds for gaining the seventh seed, the Grizzlies are deciding to go the route of resting their players ahead of their play-in game on April 15th.
Ja Morant and six others are out vs the Mavericks
The Grizzlies released their injury report on April 12th, with Brandon Clarke and Jaylen Wells listed as out as they nurse separate season-ending injuries. However, for the first time since March 24th, the Grizzlies have doubtful designations ahead of their last game of the regular season against the Mavericks.
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard, and Scotty Pippen Jr. were all listed as doubtful and will likely be officially ruled out about an hour before the game starts. While injuries are listed, as many of those players have suffered injuries throughout this season, it is a rest game for those players as the Grizzlies may have hinted at their playoff rotation.
Those seven players played 23+ minutes, including five of them playing 31+ minutes in their last game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11th. Vince Williams Jr., who has started their last two games after losing Jaylen Wells, played less than 20 minutes in both games and will be the only starter available against Dallas.
With Dallas having a slim chance at gaining the home play-in game as the ninth seed, they are resting players too, as starters Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington are ruled out, and Dereck Lively II is doubtful for their game against the Grizzlies. These teams could have a rematch with all of these players available on April 18th for a chance to make the playoffs as an eighth-seed, depending on the outcome of their expected road play-in games on April 15th and 16th.