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Jaren Jackson Jr.'s season-high 37 points not enough for the Memphis Grizzlies vs Suns

damichael cole, memphis commercial appeal
·6 min read

Jaren Jackson Jr. couldn't be stopped.

The Memphis Grizzlies forward continuously attacked the smaller Phoenix Suns and had his best offensive game of the season. However, for most of the game, he was the Grizzlies' only consistent source of offense.

Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each had big offensive nights, and it was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome. The Grizzlies fell 116-109 on the road Saturday night at Footprint Center.

Desmond Bane finished with 27 points after a 18-point fourth quarter. Jackson led the Grizzlies (5-14) with a season-high 37 points.

The Suns (12-8) were led by Booker's 34 points and Durant's 17th straight game of at least 25 points.

Memphis will return to action on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons.

Fourth quarter

FINAL: Suns 116 Grizzlies 109

5:34 left: Suns center Jusuf Nurkic has fouled out with 14 points and nine rebounds. He scored eight points in the third quarter when the Suns built a double-digit lead. Phoenix currently leads 96-85.

7:05 left: Memphis is down 92-81. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Vince Williams Jr. are all on the floor for the Grizzlies. Suns leading scorer Devin Booker has been subbed out, but Kevin Durant is checking back in. Memphis will likely focus most of its defensive coverage on Durant like Booker.

Third quarter

End of third quarter: Suns 84, Grizzlies 72

Memphis was outscored 34-21 in the third quarter. Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama picked up their fourth fouls during the third quarter. Devin Booker scored 12 points in the quarter to lead the Suns.

The next highest scoring Grizzlies player behind Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 26 points is Vince Williams Jr. with 10 off the bench. Memphis will need an offensive push to avoid a loss.

Searching for more help

7:44 left: The Suns have taken a 63-57 lead. Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 19 points has paced Memphis, but the Grizzlies don't have another player in double figures. Desmond Bane dealt with foul trouble in the first half and hasn't scored in the third. David Roddy has eight points, but Bismack Biyombo and Jaylen Nowell have combined for four points today.

9:12 left: The game is knotted up at 55 early in the third quarter. The Grizzlies are continuing to look for Jaren Jackson Jr. while he's being guarded by Kevin Durant. Jackson has been dominant in that matchup.

Second quarter

Halftime: Grizzlies 51, Suns 50

Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken over with Desmond Bane in foul trouble. He is leading the Grizzlies with 15 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Vince Williams Jr. is the Grizzlies' second highest scorer with eight points off the bench. Both teams are shooting 42%.

Grizzlies foul trouble

5:16 left: Memphis leads 41-38. Desmond Bane picked up his third foul with 6:30 left in the second quarter. Bane has seven points and has been the best offensive weapon for Memphis this season. Jaren Jackson Jr., who is currently leading the Grizzlies with 11 points, will be relied on for the remainder of the quarter. Jackson has two fouls, so he must be careful.

No more green light?

8:10 left: The Grizzlies are trailing the Suns 34-32. Eight players have already scored for Memphis. Eight Suns have scored, too. Memphis is getting open looks on 3-pointers, but some of that could be by design from the Suns. Xavier Tillman Sr. missed both of his 3-point attempts so far. He is a career 28.3% 3-point shooter, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Tillman has the green light to shoot 3-pointers this season.

First quarter

End of first quarter: Grizzlies 27, Suns 27

Memphis is continuing its encouraging defensive performance from the past two games. The Grizzlies gave up two 3-pointers late in the frame, but the effort was there. Desmond Bane is leading the Grizzlies with seven points. Memphis is shooting 44% while Phoenix is at 45%. Kevin Durant led the Suns with eight points.

6:49 left: The Grizzlies lead the Suns 11-10. Jaren Jackson Jr. already has picked up two fouls. Desmond Bane has scored a quick five points and made a timely block on Devin Booker.

Memphis Grizzlies make lineup changes

Derrick Rose and Ziaire Williams are out tonight for Memphis. Starting in Rose's place will be Jaylen Nowell, who has been a key contributor off the bench over the past three games.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is active after initially being listed as questionable. Suns guard Eric Gordon is out.

Memphis Grizzlies score vs Phoenix Suns: Live updates

Two consecutive wins has brought some energy and optimism back into the long-term Memphis Grizzlies outlook this season. The Grizzlies (5-13) have beaten the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks in recent nights to give them their first consecutive wins of the 2023-24 season.

A common denominator from both games was that the Grizzlies played the Jazz and Mavericks with those teams missing notable all-stars. Considering the Grizzlies are missing Ja Morant, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, you won't get much sympathy from the people in Memphis about injuries, but the short-handed Grizzlies have done a solid job of handling their undermanned foes.

Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns could be similar. Suns star Devin Booker is dealing with an ankle injury. He missed Phoenix's game Friday against the Denver Nuggets, and he remains questionable for today's contest. The Suns (11-8) are 3-6 without Booker this season.

Memphis has found somewhat of a rhythm because of stability in the rotation. Xavier Tillman Sr. returned Friday to stabilize the power forward and center positions, and the emergence of Jaylen Nowell and Vince Williams Jr. has helped the Grizzlies on the wing.

The Suns won the first meeting this season 110-89 on last Friday.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Suns today?

DECISION TIME: Vince Williams Jr., Jaylen Nowell could force Memphis Grizzlies into difficult roster choices

Grizzlies vs. Suns start time

  • Date: Dec. 2

  • Time: 8 p.m. CT

Memphis Grizzlies score vs Phoenix Suns: Live updates

Grizzlies vs. Suns betting odds

  • SPREAD: Suns -9

  • MONEY LINE: Suns -400, Grizzlies +315

  • OVER/UNDER: 218.5

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jaren Jackson Jr. scores 37, Memphis Grizzlies fall to Phoenix Suns