Memphis Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane (22) drives the ball past Dallas Mavericks’ Reggie Bullock (25) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 20, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 28 points, including a key layup with 17 seconds left, as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-108 Monday night in Game 1 of Ja Morant’s return to the team after serving the eight-game suspension imposed on him by the league.

Santi Aldama added 22 for Memphis and Desmond Bane finished with 17 as the Grizzlies won for the sixth time in seven games.

Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 28 points but missed all eight of their fourth quarter attempts as Memphis beat Dallas 29-12 in the fourth quarter.

Morant didn’t dress for the game, but he was on the Memphis bench, walking off to a hearty ovation from the fans just before kickoff. He was suspended by the NBA after appearing in a video at a strip club earlier this month that showed him with a gun.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks were without leading scorer Luka Doncic, who missed Game 5 with a stiff left thigh.

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