PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are among the few teams ravaged by the injury bug.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, it seemed that Phoenix’s Big Three had finally escaped the dreaded bug as Devin Booker returned to the lineup after missing five games with a groin injury. That was until 12 minutes into the game when Bradley Beal left with a hip contusion.
Booker struggled heavily in his return, scoring 16 points of 4-for-20 (20%) shooting from the field. Kevin Durant did all he could with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Beal’s injury may not have been the reason Phoenix lost 117-112 to the Grizzlies. Memphis started the game with authority and its young duo of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane combined for 69 points. Jackson Jr. was one point shy of if his season high in points with 38.
Here are the takeaways from the Suns unable to survive the Grizzly attack:
– All-Star guard Devin Booker came into the game questionable with a left groin injury that sidelined him five games prior. Thirty minutes before the game, Booker was made available and returned to the Suns’ starting lineup.
– Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (shoulder), Royce O’Neale (ankle) and Jusuf Nurkic (league suspension). Allen was probable to return from concussion protocol but suffered shoulder soreness after 5-on-5 reps the day before. O’Neale suffered a brutal ankle sprain in their previous matchup against the Golden State Warriors Saturday night. Nurkic served the second of his three-game league mandated suspension for his altercation with Naji Marshall on Friday.
– The Grizzlies started the game with a punch, outscoring the Suns 11-2 in the first 2:15 of the game, prompting Suns coach Mike Budenholzer to call a much needed timeout early in the game. In which he drew up an ATO for Kevin Durant to cash a 19-foot fadeaway.
– Jaren Jackson Jr. had complete control over the Suns defense to begin the game. He started the night 7-for-9 from the field for 19 points, all on baskets around the rim including one 3-pointer and four free throws.
– With Nurkic out, Kevin Durant was tasked with spending time at the center position early in the game, closing out the first quarter nine points and three rebounds. The Suns went down 36-26 to Memphis in the opening quarter.
– A 1o-point lead entering the second quarter was cut to just three thanks to a spark Devin Booker gave to start the quarter. A midrange jumper and transition 3-pointer was thereafter followed by a nifty Josh Okogie layup through traffic to cut the lead to 36-33.
– Just as his teammate controlled the first quarter, Grizzlies guard assumed control in the second, erupting for 10 points on 4-for-6 from the field in response to Phoenix’s prompt response.
– Bradley Beal left the game early with a hip contusion. He played 12 minutes and scored just three points on 1-for-5 shooting. Another tough blow to a Phoenix team trying any way to stay healthy.
– Losing Beal was a blow to Phoenix and Jackson Jr. and Bane continued to dominate, closing the half with 23 and 17 points respectively, giving Memphis a 69-55 lead to close the second quarter.
– Despite a disheartening first half, the Suns came out of the locker rooms with a huge swing in response, opening the third quarter going on a 16-5 run to cut the lead to 74-71 midway through the quarter.
– In their efforts towards a comeback, the Suns got some much needed help from their bench. An emphatic Oso Ighodaro blocked dunk led right to a Josh Okogie and-one transition layup, which was then followed by a momentum-boosting Ryan Dunn corner three. Phoenix had 27 bench points going into the final quarter.
– For as many punches as the Suns threw to get back into the game in the third quarter, one or two missed passes and some gut-wrenching Memphis buckets kept the Grizzlies in the game. The Suns entered the final frame down 91-86.
– As frustrations continue to boil over for the Suns, Devin Booker and Memphis guard Cam Spencer took part in a shoving match after with just under 10 minutes left after Booker lost the ball in the backcourt and Spencer tried to take it away from him after pleading his case to the referees. The two had to be separated and both received technical fouls.
– Inch by inch, the Suns were able to cut a once-14-point lead down to two, down 95-93 with 6:48 remaining in the game.
– After trading tough baskets down the stretch of the game, an untimely John Knochar and-one layup to put the Grizzlies up by seven points after being fouled by Kevin Durant, the Suns succumbed to the Memphis bear attack and lost 117-112.
BREAKING: Suns guard Bradley Beal OUT for rest of game with hip injury
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
