PHOENIX — On a Tuesday night showdown, Ja Morant contributed 26 points, while Desmond Bane added 20, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a close 119-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
In a noteworthy moment, Kevin Durant achieved a milestone by becoming the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points. He reached this landmark by making two free throws with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter. Despite Durant’s impressive performance, finishing with 34 points, the Suns have encountered difficulties lately, suffering their fifth defeat in six outings.
Jaren Jackson Jr. also made a notable contribution for Memphis, scoring 17 points. The Grizzlies established a substantial lead, extending it to 19 points before Phoenix responded, narrowing the gap to three with a three-pointer from Bol Bol with 2:34 left on the clock. However, Morant’s layup on the next possession mitigated the Suns’ attempt at a comeback.
Memphis dominated the boards, holding a significant advantage at 60-42 in rebounds and gaining considerable support from their bench, which accounted for 44 points. Santi Aldama was a key player off the bench, scoring 14 points, including four successful three-pointers.
Key Observations:
The Grizzlies have now secured three consecutive road victories for the first time this season, boasting a record of 15-11 away from home, while maintaining an impressive 21-6 mark at home.
For the Suns, they continue to adjust their lineup in the absence of injured guard Bradley Beal. Bol Bol managed to deliver a strong performance with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but this was not sufficient for the Suns to clinch a win, leaving them with a season record of 26-27.
The pivotal moment of the game occurred when the Grizzlies were leading 45-36 with 7.5 minutes left in the second quarter, after which they initiated a 13-3 run that helped them build a commanding lead. Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed six points during this stretch, while Jackson added five.
A notable statistic from the matchup highlights Memphis’s ability to bounce back; they have improved to 14-3 following a loss this season, having avoided consecutive defeats since early January.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, while the Suns will head to Houston for their next game on the same day.
