December 31, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Memphis Grizzlies forward center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) runs with the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) attempts to get the ball out of his hand during the first quarter of the game at Footprint Middle. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Pictures
Jaren Jackson Jr. matched 38 points with 10 rebounds and Desmond Bane added 31 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
Luke Kennard had 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Memphis, while John Konchar scored 12 rebounds to complement his seven points. The Grizzlies opened a 14-point halftime lead and held on after Phoenix pulled within a point in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Durant had 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Suns, who lost Bradley Beal after the first quarter to a hip contusion.
Beal was hurt when he landed awkwardly after being fouled by Jackson with 4:40 left in the first quarter. He played the rest of the quarter, finishing with three points and two assists, before being ruled out for the rest of the game.
Tyus Jones contributed 21 points for Phoenix to complement 12 each from Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris. Devin Booker had 16 points on just 4-of-20 shooting after missing the Suns’ last five games with a groin strain.
Jackson was active from the start, scoring 14 of the Grizzlies’ first 20 points. He finished the first quarter with 19 points, helping the visitors take a 36-26 lead.
Phoenix scored the first seven points of the second quarter while Jackson rested on the bench, but Bane stepped up and rode Memphis’ momentum, scoring 13 points in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies finished the first half on a 19-10 run and took a 69-55 lead into halftime.
The Suns rallied in the third quarter by going in on Plumlee, who had four dunks to help bring Phoenix within 74-71. Bane scored nine more points in the quarter to push Memphis into the fourth leading 91-86.
Durant’s hit on a backdoor cutter cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 96-95, but that was as close as the Suns got. Bane and Jackson each scored three on Memphis’ next two possessions to push the lead to 102-97 with 5:55 left.
Booker’s 3-pointer made the game 108-106 with 1:51 left, but the Grizzlies scored the next six points to essentially close out the scoring.
–Media at field level
