The Phoenix Suns won 110-89 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023-2024 NBA regular league and the Western Conference Group A qualifying match for the NBA in-season tournament at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, on the 25th (Korea time).
Kevin Durant was absent due to foot pain, but Devin Booker (40 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) exploded a whopping 40 points. Eric Gordon (20-point 3-pointers, four two assists) and Grayson Allen (14 points, two rebounds, and three assists) also showed off their presence. Phoenix, which won six consecutive games (10 wins and six losses), maintained its fifth place in the Western Conference.
With a 29-27 lead in the first quarter, Phoenix gained more momentum in the second quarter. Booker scored back-to-back runs, Keita Bates-Diopp hit a delightful alley-oop dunk. Santi Aldama hit the outside shot, but Gordon’s 3-pointer set it back. The Phoenix, which added Allen’s outside shot, had a 62-49 halftime.
Phoenix’s performance in the second half was stable. Booker placed a layup following a mid-range shot, and Allen fired support from the perimeter. Afterwards, David Roddy and Aldama lost points, but they did not falter. Gordon made the breakthrough, and Booker put in a mid-range shot. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 81-73, still Phoenix’s lead.
Phoenix gained strength again in the fourth quarter. Booker, Jordan Good1 and Gordon’s three-point shots cut the rim one after another, widening the gap. Booker then continued his scoring streak, and Good One succeeded in attacking with a layup. Phoenix, which won the game, brought the main players to the bench. I enjoyed the joy of victory by leaving the rest of the time to the bench members.
Meanwhile, Aldama (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Roddy (14 points and 4 rebounds) played their part in Memphis, but fell short of Phoenix’s momentum with Booker at the forefront. Due to the defeat, the team lost three consecutive games (3 wins and 12 losses).