The Memphis Grizzlies took the scenic route, but they finally secured their playoff spot with a decisive 120-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament. At one point, Dallas clawed back to within five in the third quarter, threatening to erase Memphis’ commanding lead. But the Grizzlies steadied themselves, pulling away to seal a 14-point victory.
As the game slipped out of reach for the Mavericks, the FedEx Forum erupted in celebration—led by none other than the team’s mascot, Grizz. And if their postgame song choice was any indication, the Grizzlies had a clear message for Dallas on their way out:
“Whoop that trick.”
The track, played in the arena and noted by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, is a Memphis anthem originally written by rapper Al Kapone for the film Hustle & Flow. Over time, it has become a rallying cry not just for the Grizzlies but for the city’s sports culture as a whole. With its infectious beat and crowd-friendly chant, the song was the perfect soundtrack to celebrate a win that saved Memphis from humiliation and kept their postseason hopes alive.
Now, however, the Grizzlies face their toughest challenge yet: a first-round showdown with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who dominated the regular season with 68 wins. Memphis enters as heavy underdogs—not only did they lose all four matchups against OKC this year, but they’ve also dropped nine straight to the Thunder dating back to the 2022-23 season. The odds are steep, but for now, the Grizzlies are savoring their hard-earned triumph.
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