National Basketball Association
Memphis 120, Phoenix 118
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, March 10, 2025
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Officials: #43 Matt Myers, #33 Sean Corbin, #46 Ben Taylor
Attendance: 16545

Ja Morant scored 29 points and added 12 assists to lead the injury-depleted Memphis Grizzlies past the visiting Phoenix Suns, 120-118, Monday.

Kevin Durant had an opportunity to win the game at the buzzer, but missed a deep 3-pointer.

The Grizzlies won their third straight and swept the season series against the Suns.

Reserve guard Cam Spencer scored 16 points for the Grizzlies. GG Jackson and Jay Huff scored 14 each while Lamar Stevens and Scotty Pippen Jr. chipped in 13 apiece.

Durant scored a game-high 35 for the Suns, who also got 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists from Devin Booker. Tyus Jones added 12 points plus seven assists and Nick Richards contributed 10 points and 12 boards.

Memphis led 120-115 with 14.4 seconds to go, but the Suns didn't go away. Durant dropped a 3-pointer -- his seventh in eight attempts -- with 9.1 seconds left. When Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane threw the ensuing inbound pass away, Durant had one final chance but failed to convert.

The Grizzlies, who trailed by as many as 16 in the first half, grabbed their first lead early in the third quarter and built the advantage to nine points (88-79) late in the third on a 3-pointer by Stevens. The trey capped a 12-3 run that included a basket by Morant intended as a lob for Marvin Bagley III.

Memphis led 95-90 after three, but the quarter closed with a flareup involving Durant and Grizzlies guard Spencer. After Spencer drained a corner 3 in the closing seconds, he taunted Durant, who responded with a finger pointed at Spencer's face from close range. Both players received technical fouls. Spencer had a spirited exchange with Durant earlier in the game after fouling the Suns' superstar.

Memphis was missing six rotation players, including regular starters Jaren Jackson Jr. (sprained left ankle) and Zach Edey (right ankle soreness). GG Jackson made his first start of the season for the Grizzlies and center Jay Huff made his second career NBA start. The Suns played without Bradley Beal, who missed the game with a left calf injury.

Phoenix led 59-57 at halftime behind Durant's 20 points.

The Suns are making a late run at the 10th seed in the Western Conference, which would earn them the final spot in the play-in tournament. Following the loss, Phoenix is 2 1/2 games behind the 10th-place Dallas Mavericks.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   Memphis
Kevin Durant 35 Scoring Ja Morant 29
Tyus Jones 7 Assists Ja Morant 12
Nick Richards 12 Rebounds Desmond Bane 7
Kevin Durant 6 Free Throws Made Ja Morant 10
Royce O'Neale 2 Steals Cam Spencer 3
Bol Bol 1 Blocks Marvin Bagley III 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 118 45.6 20-38 16-22 31 46 2 6 16
Memphis 120 46.5 17-46 23-27 26 39 7 9 15
Upcoming Games
  • Memphis will play their next game at home against Utah. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .575 after a win and .720 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game on the road against Houston. The Suns have a W/L % of .433 after a win and .486 after a loss.
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