Grizzlies spoil milestone night for Suns' Kevin Durant

Field Level Media|published: Wed 12th February, 01:07 2025

Dec 31, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) runs with the ball while Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) attempts to hit the ball out of his hand during the first quarter of the game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Ja Morant recorded 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists to help the Memphis Grizzlies post 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 NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. His total sits at 30,008.

The loss was the fifth in six games for the 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 the Grizzlies.

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

Durant made two free throws with 1:11 left in the third quarter to hit the 30,000 career points mark. He reached the milestone in 1,101 games, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as third fastest.

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

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

The Grizzlies connected on 43 percent from the field and were 12 of 39 (30.8 percent) from behind the arc. Memphis held a 60-42 rebounding advantage.

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

Morant later split two free throws to make it 117-110 with 28.9 seconds left to make it a three-possession game.

Memphis led 95-87 entering the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies were up by 10 early in the final period before Grayson Allen sank two free throws and Durant and O'Neale made baskets to pull the Suns within 99-95 with 8:39 left.

A 3-pointer by Bane and a layup by Clarke pushed Memphis' lead to 108-97 with 6:23 remaining. 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 the Grizzlies take a 68-56 lead into the break. Durant scored 19 in the half, with 17 coming in the second quarter.

--Field Level Media