Grizzlies spoils milestone evening for Suns’ Kevin Durant

On By Littum

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies by Phoenix Suns31 December 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Memphis Grizzlies Forward Center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) Running the ball while Phoenix Suns-Guard Bradley Beal (3) tries to beat the ball out of his hand during the first quarter of the game in the Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Misted Pictures

Yes Morant recorded 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists to help Memphis Grizzlies place a 119-112 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.

Phoenix’s Kevin Durant scored 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting and became the eighth player in the NBA story to reach 30,000 career points. His total sits at 30,008.

The loss was the fifth in six games for Suns, while Memphis won for the 11th time in 13 games.

Desmond Bane registered 20 points and eight rebounds and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points and six rebounds for Memphis. Brandon Clarke had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Santi Aldama also produced 14 points for Grizzlies.

Bol Bol scored 18 points, collected a season best 14 rebounds and matched his four -blocked shots of Phoenix. Devin Booker added 17 points and nine assists, Tyus Jones collected 11 points and nine assists, and Royce O’Neale also had 11 points.

Durant made two free throw with 1:11 back in the third quarter to hit the 30,000 career point marking. He reached the milestone in 1,101 games and ties Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the third fastest.

Durant missed the previous three games due to a sprained left ankle.

Phoenix made 44.6 percent of his shots, including 12 of 44 (27.3 percent) from 3-point range. Bradley Beal (toe) missed his third straight match.

Grizzlies associated with 43 percent from the field and were 12 of 39 (30.8 percent) behind the arch. Memphis had a 60-42 rebounding benefit.

Bol drained a 3-pointer to bring Suns within 112-109 with 2:34 back. Morant replied with a basket to make it a five-point margin.

Morant later shared two free kicks to make it 117-110 with 28.9 seconds left to make it a three-holding game.

Memphis led 95-87 into the fourth quarter.

Grizzlies rose by 10 early in the last period before Grayson Allen sank two free kicks, and Durant and O’Neale made baskets to pull Suns within 99-95 with 8:39 back.

A 3-pointer of lane and a set of Clarke pushed Memphis’ lead to 108-97 with 6:23 back. However, Durant scored five straight points to bring Phoenix back within six with 5:10 to go.

Jackson scored 13 first half points to help Grizzlies take a 68-56 lead into the break. Durant scored 19 in half, with 17 coming in the second quarter.

-Felt level media