Recap: Grizzlies overcome double-digit deficit, storm back to beat Suns without Ja Morant
The Memphis Grizzlies found a way to win without Ja Morant.
That’s been a struggle all season, but the Grizzlies pulled off an impressive upset road win 121-115 over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, getting a dynamic offensive performance from Jaren Jackson Jr. and a career-high 19 points from Vince Williams Jr. to earn a massive road win.
Memphis won the game with defense down the stretch, with key plays from Williams and Marcus Smart helping preserve the Grizzlies’ lead in the final moments.
Jackson struggled with foul trouble but was dominant otherwise, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies fell behind by double digits with Jackson on the bench in the third quarter, but they quickly mounted a comeback at the beginning of the fourth quarter and held on despite an impressive fourth quarter from Kevin Durant.
It was the Grizzlies’ second-straight road win after Friday’s triumph over the Lakers in Los Angeles. The road trip concludes on Tuesday night in Dallas before the Grizzlies return to Memphis, and the Grizzlies now have momentum as they try to climb back in to the Western Conference playoff picture.
Morant was a game-time decision before being ruled out, so it’s possible he could return on Tuesday.
Ja Morant out for Grizzlies
Morant was a game-time decision, according to coach Taylor Jenkins, but was downgraded to out with right shoulder soreness.
Grizzlies vs. Suns live score updates
Fourth quarter
1:47 left: Bane hit an open three pointer after a tap out rebound by Williams to put the Grizzlies in front by a single point.
3:39 left: The Suns are up by two after a Booker layup that followed two missed three pointers by the Grizzlies.
6:18 left: The Grizzlies have a 105-104 lead. Kevin Durant is up to 21 points and has been scoring at will in the past couple minutes. Memphis needs to find a way to limit him down the stretch.
9:45 left: The Grizzlies are right back in the game thanks to a 10-1 run to start the fourth quarter. Jackson is back in the game and just hit a three pointer to force a Suns timeout.
Third quarter
End of quarter: Suns 97, Grizzlies 86. The Suns went on a run to take a double digit lead into the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies have work to do to get back into the game, and time is not on their side.
2:46 left: The Grizzlies are hanging in there. Phoenix has still been able to score, but Memphis is only down by six with a few minutes to play in the quarter. The Grizzlies have done it without Jackson, and he'll probably be back early in the fourth quarter if they can make it to then.
7:12 left: Jenkins calls timeout with the Grizzlies trailing 80-73. The Suns are shooting 57.9 percent from the field and have gotten pretty much whatever they wanted offensively, and now it's an uphill battle for Memphis with Jackson on the bench. Luke Kennard is a perfect 3-of-3 from deep and could be the key to staying in the game for the rest of the quarter.
8:49 left: Jackson picks up his fourth foul and has to go to the bench with the Grizzlies trailing by five.
Second quarter
Halftime: Suns 63, Grizzlies 58. The Suns went on a 13-3 run to end the quarter and will take a five-point lead into halftime. Jackson has been dominant for Memphis but has struggled with foul trouble and picked up his third foul in the second quarter.
Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr. are also in double figures scoring for the Grizzlies. Devin Booker leads the Suns with 14 points.
5:58 left: Jackson is continuing to wreak havoc on the Suns' defense. He's got 16 points and things are starting to click for Memphis offensively. The game is knotted at 45 midway through the second quarter.
9:24 left: The Grizzlies punched back to start the second quarter and now have a 37-35 lead. Jaren Jackson Jr. has started to assert himself on offense and is the first player in double figures on either team.
First quarter
End of quarter: Suns 32, Grizzlies 26.
4:50 left: The Suns went on an 8-0 run out of the last timeout and are now up 21-12. Grayson Allen hit a three pointer that led to Jenkins' timeout. Memphis is shooting just 29.4 percent from the field.
6:17 left: Memphis started hitting shots and got back into the game. It's 13-12 Suns, and Frank Vogel calls a timeout. Marcus Smart has five points to lead the Grizzlies.
9:06 left: It's been a rough start for the Grizzlies, who have missed their first eight shots and are down 8-1. Jenkins called a timeout and will no doubt try to ignite the offense.
Grizzlies looking for second-straight road win
Can the Memphis Grizzlies make it back-to-back road wins?
The Grizzlies are coming off a key win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. That gave Memphis confidence during a key road trip that continues Sunday night in Phoenix against the Suns and concludes on Tuesday in Dallas.
There's an obvious concern for the Grizzlies because star guard Ja Morant was added to the injury report before Sunday's game with right shoulder soreness. He's listed as questionable. The Grizzlies have been a completely different team without Morant this season, having drudged through the first 25 games without him while he was serving a suspension.
Memphis has picked up some momentum since his return on Dec. 19, but the Grizzlies need to keep winning to stay in the hunt for the Western Conference playoffs.
The Suns (19-16) have dealt with key injuries all season and Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Phoenix has won five of its last six games.
Follow along for live updates.
What channel is Grizzlies vs. Suns on today?
TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast
Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)
Grizzlies vs. Suns start time
Date: Jan. 7
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Grizzlies vs. Suns betting odds
SPREAD: Suns -4.5
MONEY LINE: Suns -190, Grizzlies +160
OVER/UNDER: 228
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Recap: Grizzlies overcome double-digit deficit to win without Ja Morant
