Yes Morant played 26 points, seven returns and six assists to help Memphis Grizzlies publish a victory 119-112 over the host Phoenix Suns on Tuesday evening.
Phoenix’s Kevin Durant received 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting and became the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. His total is at 30,008.
The loss was the fifth in six matches for Suns, while Memphis won for the 11th time in 13 matches.
Desmond Bane registered 20 points and eight returns and Jaren Jackson Jr. Added 17 points and six returns for Memphis. Brandon Clarke had 14 points and seven returns, and Santi Aldama also produced 14 points for Grizzlies.
Bol Bol got 18 points, gathered a season best 14 returns and matched his career with four blocked shots for Phoenix. Devin Booker added 17 points and nine assists, Tyus Jones collected 11 points and nine assists, and Royce O’Neale also had 11 points.
Durant made two free throw with 1:11 in the third quarter to meet 30,000 career points brand. He reached the milestone in 1,101 games and band Kareem Abdul jabs as the third fastest.
Durant missed the three previous games due to a precise left ankle.
Phoenix made 44.6 percent of its shots, including 12 out of 44 (27.3 percent) from 3-point intervals. Bradley Beal (toe) missed her third straight game.
The grizzlies connected to 43 percent from the field and were 12 out of 39 (30.8 percent) behind the arch. Memphis had a 60-42 rebounding advantage.
Bol dropped a 3-pointer to bring the suns within 112-109 with 2:34 left. Morant replied with a basket to make it a five -point margin.
Morant later shared two free throws to make it 117-110 with 28.9 seconds left to make it a three-preparation game.
Memphis led 95-87 into the fourth quarter.
Grizzlies was up with ten early in the last period before Grayson Allen sank two free throw and Durant and O’Neale made baskets to pull the suns within 99-95 with 8:39.
A 3-point of Bane and a layout by Clarke pressed Memphi’s lead to 108-97 with 6:23 left. However, Durant got five straight points to get Phoenix back within sex with 5:10 to go.
Jackson got 13 points for the first half to help Grizzlies take a lead of 68-56 into the break. Durant made 19 at half, with 17 which came during the second quarter.
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