Kevin Durant’s monumental achievement of reaching 30,000 career points was overshadowed on Tuesday night as the Phoenix Suns fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 119-112. Despite Durant’s incredible performance, the Suns couldn’t overcome the Western Conference’s second-place team, leaving them below the .500 mark with a 26-27 record. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies strengthened their standing with an impressive 36-17 record.
Durant, always a showstopper, led the game with a stellar 34-point performance, shooting an efficient 12-of-18 from the field. His milestone moment came at 1:11 left in the third quarter when he sank a free throw, officially etching his name among the NBA’s greatest scorers. Only seven players in history had accomplished this feat before him, making his achievement all the more remarkable. To honor his milestone, the Footprint Center showcased a tribute video highlighting Durant’s career from his early days with the Seattle Supersonics to his time with the Thunder, Warriors, Nets, and now the Suns.
While Durant's performance was nothing short of spectacular, the Suns struggled to gain control of the game. They held a brief three-point lead early in the first quarter but found themselves playing from behind for most of the night. The Grizzlies led by double digits for much of the game, though the Suns showed resilience. They cut the lead to eight by closing the third quarter on a 7-2 run and further trimmed it to four points early in the fourth with an 8-2 surge. However, Memphis countered with a push of their own, extending their lead back to 11. A late three-pointer by Bol Bol brought the Suns within three at the 2:34 mark, but Phoenix failed to capitalize as the Grizzlies pulled away in the final minutes.
Bol Bol has been on a meteoric rise lately, and Tuesday’s game was arguably his best performance this season. He recorded an impressive double-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Devin Booker also contributed with 17 points and a game-high nine assists. However, the absence of their key sixth man, Bradley Beal, was felt in the loss.
For Memphis, Ja Morant spearheaded the offense with a team-high 26 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. Desmond Bane chipped in 20 points and eight rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 17 points, proving once again why the Grizzlies are one of the toughest teams in the Western Conference.
The Suns' struggles were evident from the start. Despite Bol Bol’s strong opening, where he led Phoenix with seven points and six rebounds in the first quarter, they trailed 36-26. Memphis gained momentum with a 10-2 run midway through the first, extending their lead to double digits. By halftime, the Suns were down 68-56, with Durant scoring 17 of his then-19 points in the second quarter to keep Phoenix within striking distance. But Memphis kept applying pressure, extending their largest lead to 19 points during the second quarter before Phoenix managed to claw back.
The game also marked Bol Bol’s first start of the season, a well-earned opportunity given his recent performances. Over the past two games, he has averaged 15.5 points, five rebounds, and 3.5 blocks while shooting an impressive 54.8%. The Suns, dealing with injuries to key rotation players, have relied on Bol to step up—and he has delivered. Additionally, Grayson Allen, who had been sidelined with a knee issue, was ruled in for the game, giving Phoenix some much-needed depth.
Looking ahead, the Suns have little time to dwell on this loss. They face the Houston Rockets (33-20) in the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. before heading into the All-Star break. With the regular season winding down, every game becomes crucial for Phoenix as they aim to climb back above .500 and secure a strong playoff position.
On the injury front, the Suns have been dealing with a string of setbacks. Allen’s return was a positive development, but newly acquired players from last week’s Jusuf Nurkic trade, Vasa Micić and Cody Martin, remain sidelined with ankle and sports hernia issues, respectively. Additionally, Jalen Bridges, Collin Gillespie, and Oso Ighodaro remain assigned to the G League. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies were also shorthanded, with Phoenix native Marvin Bagley III (right ankle), Johnny Davis, Yuki Kawamura, Zyon Pullin, and Cam Spencer all unavailable.
Despite the loss, Durant’s milestone night will be remembered as another chapter in his legendary career. He continues to prove why he is one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen. While the Suns have work to do to turn their season around, performances from Durant and Bol Bol provide optimism for the future. Now, all eyes turn to their matchup against the Rockets, where they hope to bounce back before the break.
Login