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Recap: Suns drop 119-112 to Grizzlies, Durant’s historic night spoiled

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 1:05 AM ET

On a night where Kevin Durant joined elite company, becoming the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, the Phoenix Suns dropped below .500 for the first time since early January, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 119-112.

Durant led all scorers with 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Fan-favorite Bol Bol had an amazing night, notching his first start of the season and making the most of it, scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking four shots. Devin Booker had a rough night, scoring just 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting (0-for-3 on 3s).

Ja Morant led Memphis with 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He was one of five Grizzlies in double figures. Desmond Bane had 20 points, Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke added 14 and Jaren Jackson Jr. notched 17.

Phoenix (26-27) drops to below .500 for the first time since Jan. 14 and plays the back end of a back-to-back in Houston against the Rockets on Wednesday for the final game before the All-Star break.

Durant joins elite company in 3rd quarter

Kevin Durant sunk a free throw with 1:11 left in the quarter to score his 26th point and officially become the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points. He scored seven points in the third to cut Memphis’ lead, 95-87.

Durant’s 26 points led all scorers despite playing from behind all game. Devin Booker followed with just 15 points (5-of-12 FG) through three quarters. Bol Bol was the only other Sun in double digits with 13 points, continuing to prove he belongs in the rotation.

Ja Morant got it going in the quarter, scoring nine of his 21 points to lead the Grizzlies in scoring. Santi Aldama was one of five Grizzlies, including Morant, to score double figures through three quarters, with 14 points. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. each had 13 points and Brandon Clarke followed with 10.

Durant, Booker heat up, keep Suns close in 2nd quarter

Kevin Durant erupted in the second quarter, scoring 17 of his 19 total points to keep the Suns within reaching distance of the Grizzlies heading into halftime, 68-56.

Devin Booker trailed behind Durant with 10 points in the half on 4-of-8 shooting. Bol Bol remained atop Phoenix’s scoring with eight points but snagged 10 rebounds, leading the game. Five other Suns scored in the half, the only ones that saw the floor and didn’t being rookies Ryan Dunn and TyTy Washington Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 13 points (5-of-11 FG), followed by Ja Morant with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Aldama, who exploded for 11 points in the first quarter, didn’t score a point in the second.

Suns’ Bol, Grizzlies’ Aldama exchange blows in 1st quarter

Fan-favorite Bol Bol got the first start of the season and started off hot, scoring seven points (3-of-6 shooting), only to be outdone by Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama, who scored 11 points (3-for-3 on 3s), to give Memphis the early lead on the Suns, 36-22.

Bol led the Suns in scoring, the next-leading scorer was Devin Booker with six points. Kevin Durant started the game with two points on 1-of-3 shooting in the first quarter.

Grizzlies standout rookie Jaylen Wells followed Aldama’s hot start with eight points of his own on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

Injury report

Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) was not listed on the Suns’ injury report after missing the last three games. Grayson Allen (left knee soreness) is available. Bradley Beal (left great toe sprain), Cody Martin (sports hernia), Vasa Micic (left ankle sprain) and Oso Ighodaro (G League) were all out.

For Memphis, Zach Edey (nasal fracture) is available. Marvin Bagley III (right ankle sprain), Johnny Davis (not with team) and Cam Spencer (left thumb surgery) are all out.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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