NBA: Ja Morant, Grizzlies push Suns further out of playoff contention
Mar 10, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) passes the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) defends during the second quarter of an NBA game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Ja Morant scored 29 points and added 12 assists to lead the injury-depleted Memphis Grizzlies past visiting Phoenix, 120-118, in the NBA 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.
READ: Ja Morant ineligible for NBA awards after missing 18th game
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.
READ: NBA: Grizzlies close strong to snap skid with win over Mavericks
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
