Suns Stumble in 4th Quarter, Fall to Grizzlies Despite Strong Start

Memphis Grizzlies Outlast Phoenix Suns 121-115

In a game where the Phoenix Suns appeared to be in control, they once again faced fourth-quarter struggles, leading to a 121-115 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Suns, who held an 11-point lead entering the final quarter, saw their efforts unravel as Memphis mounted a comeback without star player Ja Morant.

Key Performers:

Devin Booker: 24 points, 8 assists, 0 rebounds, 2 steals on 9-17 FG in 37 minutes

Kevin Durant: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists on 11-23 FG in 36 minutes

Jusuf Nurkic: 18 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists on 8-17 FG in 32 minutes

Marcus Smart: 25 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds on 9-20 FG in 37 minutes

Jaren Jackson Jr.: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists on 11-20 FG in 32 minutes

Game Flow:

First Half: 

The Suns started strong, establishing an 8-1 lead within the first 2:54 minutes. Despite early struggles from the Grizzlies, both teams traded runs throughout the quarter. Suns led 32-26 after the first 12 minutes.

The second quarter continued the trend of runs, with both teams showcasing moments of dominance. The Suns managed to take a five-point lead into halftime.

Second Half: 

The Suns displayed crisp offense in the third quarter, maintaining control despite some defensive lapses. Jusuf Nurkic’s impactful contributions helped the Suns secure a 97-96 lead heading into the final quarter.

However, the fourth quarter proved challenging for the Suns, as the Grizzlies orchestrated a 10-1 run to open the period. The Suns struggled on the glass, allowing numerous second-chance opportunities. Despite efforts to stop the bleeding, the Suns fell short, losing 121-115.

The defeat drops the Suns to a 19-17 record on the season. The team faces the Los Angeles Clippers in their next matchup, aiming to address late-game challenges and regain momentum in the competitive Western Conference.