WASHINGTON: Memphis guard Ja Morant scored the last of his 33 points on a driving layup with a half-second remaining to lift the Grizzlies over host Phoenix 114-113.
Desmond Bane added a career-high 32 points with six 3-pointers for the Grizzlies (21-14), who also got 13 points and 16 rebounds from New Zealand centre Steven Adams in preventing the Suns from matching Golden State for the overall NBA lead.
“I’m glad everybody is able to see what we’re capable of and what we can do against some really good teams in this league,” Morant said.
The Suns, trailing 60-48 at half-time and 89-75 entering the fourth quarter, fought back and seized a one-point lead on Devin Booker’s 3-pointer with five seconds remaining, setting the stage for Morant’s last-second heroics.
“I was supposed to fake the handoff and go get a bucket and that’s what I did,” Morant said.
It marked the first time in team history both Grizzlies starting guards scored 30 or more points in the same game.
“That last play Ja had, got that layup, that’s something we’ve run a couple times but the execution was great,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said.
“Credit our guys for playing the full 48 minutes. We just found a way to win a really good game against a really good team.”
Phoenix, led by Booker’s 30 points, fell to 26-7, sliding one game behind the Warriors (27-6) for the Western Conference lead.
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