The Phoenix Suns faced another tough loss, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118. This season, the Suns (30-35) have struggled to close out games. The road ahead doesn’t get easier, but they will face some opponents who are in a slump.
In Monday’s game, the Suns went up against the Grizzlies (41-24), who were missing key players. All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. sat out with an ankle sprain, and other regulars like Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke were also sidelined.
Phoenix started strong, building a 16-point lead in the first quarter. However, turnovers and poor defense allowed the Grizzlies to fight back by halftime. Memphis’s bench, including Cam Spencer and Marvin Bagley III, picked up the pace and leveled the game.
Despite their early lead, the Suns couldn’t find their rhythm again. The Grizzlies took advantage of mismatches, shooting effectively from three-point range. Phoenix struggled particularly with transition defense, leading to several open shots for Memphis.
A notable moment came late in the third quarter when Spencer hit a three-pointer, followed by some playful trash talk with Kevin Durant. This exchange led to both players receiving technical fouls after some words were exchanged. As tensions rose, Devin Booker also stepped into the spotlight with a T of his own after another heated moment with Memphis players.
In the closing moments, with the Suns down three, Durant tried to bring the ball up, which is usually avoided due to the risk of turnovers. A missed screen resulted in a turnover, allowing the Grizzlies to score. While Phoenix managed to answer with a three-pointer and grabbed some free throws, they couldn’t secure the lead.
In the final seconds, the Suns had a chance to win but Durant missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Despite a strong shooting night from beyond the arc (20-for-38, 52.6%), the Suns couldn’t get the victory. Durant finished with 35 points, while Booker added 26.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 29 points, and seven Grizzlies scored in double figures. The Suns continued to feel the absence of Bradley Beal due to a calf issue.
Check out this related article: 2025 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Live Updates on Top 100 Free Agents Like Josh Sweat, D.J. Reed, and More Vets!
Source linkPhoenix Arizona Sports News | Phoenix Breaking Sports News, Home,Arizona Sports Now on 98.7 FM
