MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a spectacular nighttime showdown, Ja Morant dazzled the crowd with a stunning performance, scoring 29 points and providing 12 assists that fueled the Memphis Grizzlies to a dramatic 120-118 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies overcame a daunting 16-point deficit, showcasing their resilience on the court.

Rookie Cam Spencer, on a two-way contract, stepped up for Memphis, contributing a career-high 16 points. Notably, his clutch free throws with only 14.4 seconds left effectively sealed the deal for Memphis, ensuring their third consecutive win. This young talent is starting to make a name for himself in the league!

On the opposing side, the Suns were led by superstar Kevin Durant, who tallied an impressive 35 points, while Devin Booker supported him with 26 points. Despite their early dominance with a lead of 25-9, the Suns saw their advantage slip away before halftime, falling short in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter. The game hung in the balance until Durant squandered a golden opportunity to win with a missed three-point shot as time expired.

The match-up was further complicated for the Suns, as star player Bradley Beal sat out due to left calf injury management. Meanwhile, Memphis had to cope without their leading scorer Jaren Jackson Jr., who is on the sidelines recovering from an ankle sprain.

Takeaways

For the Suns, this loss means they continue to scramble for a playoff position, currently trailing the Dallas Mavericks by 1.5 games for the crucial 10th spot in the Western Conference for the play-in tournament.

On the flip side, the Grizzlies are riding the wave of several close games—eight out of their last ten have been decided by seven points or fewer, hinting at a competitive edge in tight situations.

Key Moment to Remember

A pivotal moment came at the end of the third quarter when Spencer drained a three-pointer from the corner, igniting tension as he exchanged words with Durant. The exchange resulted in both players receiving technical fouls after Durant attempted a leg sweep as they returned down the court.

Key Stat Alert

The Suns' shooting was impressive, knocking down 20 of 38 (52.6%) from beyond the arc, led by Durant, who dazzled with a remarkable 7 of 9 shooting from deep.

Up Next

Looking ahead, both teams are set to play again on Wednesday, with the Suns heading to Houston while the Grizzlies prepare to host Utah. Fans are eager to see if Morant can maintain his form and if the Suns can bounce back from this nail-biting defeat!

Stay tuned as the season heats up—who knows what other surprises lie ahead in this electrifying NBA journey?