The Phoenix Suns faced a disappointing defeat at home against the Memphis Grizzlies on New Year’s Eve, losing 117-112. This marks the Suns’ sixth loss in their last seven games, highlighting ongoing struggles within the team. Notably, star player Bradley Beal exited the game early in the third quarter due to a hip contusion, adding to the challenges faced by Phoenix.
Memphis was led by the dominant performance of Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored an impressive 38 points. Desmond Bane contributed 31 points while Luke Kennard added 17 points to help secure the victory, despite the absence of star players Ja Morant and Zach Edey due to injury. With this win, the Grizzlies improved their record to 23-11, placing them second in the Western Conference.
Devin Booker made his return for the Suns after missing five games, scoring 16 points and providing nine assists. Kevin Durant was the standout performer for Phoenix, leading the team with 29 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Suns were unable to find their rhythm, struggling without center Jusuf Nurkic, who is serving a suspension.
The game was marked by aggressive play, resulting in a total of 54 fouls and 58 free throw attempts. Despite the challenges, there were moments of hope for the Suns, as they managed to close the gap in the second quarter, with Booker scoring the team’s first five points early on after his return.
A key moment in the game came from John Konchar, whose three-point play with just over a minute left gave Memphis a crucial seven-point lead, which proved insurmountable for Phoenix.
Looking ahead, the Suns will seek to turn their fortunes around in an upcoming match against Indiana, while the Grizzlies prepare to face Sacramento.
In summary, while the Suns are currently facing difficulties, the return of key players like Devin Booker offers a glimmer of hope. If they can regain their form and improve their play, there is potential for a turnaround in their next games.