NBA: Jaren Jackson Jr pours in 38 points in Grizzlies’ win over Suns

Dec 31, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) celebrates a three point shot he made during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Jaren Jackson Jr. paired 38 points with 12 rebounds and Desmond Bane added 31 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 win over the host Phoenix Suns in the NBA on Tuesday.

Luke Kennard supplied 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Memphis, while John Konchar pulled down 12 rebounds to go with his seven points. The Grizzlies opened up a 14-point halftime advantage and held on after Phoenix closed within a point in the fourth quarter.

READ: NBA: Grizzlies set team scoring record in rout of Raptors

The Ja-less Memphis Grizzlies eclipse Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns behind strong performances from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Bane: 31 PTS, 7 AST
JJJ: 38 PTS, 11 REB
KD: 29 PTS, 10 REB, #NBAPhilippines #NBAHighlights pic.twitter.com/ZVW0NhJsA3

— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) January 1, 2025

Kevin Durant bundled 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Suns, who lost Bradley Beal after the first quarter due to a hip contusion.

Beal was hurt when he landed awkwardly after being fouled by Jackson with 4:40 left in the opening frame. He played the rest of the quarter, finishing with three points and two assists, before being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

READ: NBA: Grizzlies put historic 51-point beatdown on Warriors

Tyus Jones contributed 21 points for Phoenix to complement 12 apiece from Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris. Devin Booker managed 16 points on just 4-of-20 shooting after missing the Suns’ previous five games with a groin strain.

Jackson was active early, scoring 14 of the Grizzlies’ first 20 points. He finished the first quarter with 19 points, helping the visitors grab a 36-26 lead.

Phoenix scored the first seven points of the second quarter as Jackson rested on the bench, but Bane stepped up and ripped the momentum back Memphis’ way, pouring in 13 points in the frame.

The Grizzlies finished the first half on a 19-10 run and carried a 69-55 lead into the break.

The Suns rallied in the third quarter by going inside to Plumlee, who threw down four dunks to help bring Phoenix within 74-71. Bane notched nine more points in the quarter to propel Memphis into the fourth leading 91-86.

Durant’s slam on a backdoor cut sliced the Grizzlies’ lead to 96-95, but that was as close as the Suns got. Bane and Jackson each drained a 3 on Memphis’ next two possessions to push the lead to 102-97 with 5:55 left.

Booker’s trey made it a 108-106 game with 1:51 to go, but the Grizzlies scored the next six points to essentially close out the victory. –Field Level Media