Booker's 40 points leads Durant-less Suns past Grizzlies

Devin Booker showcased his abilities with a remarkable season-high of 40 points, complemented by Eric Gordon's 20, steering the Phoenix Suns to a convincing 110-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a compelling NBA In-Season Tournament clash on Friday. Notably absent was the Suns' leading scorer, Kevin Durant, sidelined due to right foot soreness, yet the team secured its sixth consecutive win, initiated by Booker's return from a calf injury.

Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen contributed 14 points each for the Suns, with Goodwin particularly shining in the absence of Durant. Santi Aldama led the scoring for Memphis with 21 points, accompanied by Derrick Rose's 17 and David Roddy's 14, but the Grizzlies struggled, marking their third consecutive loss and maintaining a winless record at home.

The victory left Phoenix with a 3-1 record in the tournament, trailing the Lakers who clinched West Group A with a flawless 4-0 record. Now, the Suns await the outcomes of other Western Conference teams to determine their qualification for the tournament wild-card spot.

Despite Memphis narrowing the lead in the second half, the Suns consistently responded, with Goodwin's eight consecutive points in the fourth quarter proving pivotal. Suns coach Frank Vogel praised Goodwin's performance, highlighting his improvement on both ends of the court.

Memphis, grappling with a 0-7 home record, faces an extended wait for the return of last year's leading scorer, Ja Morant, currently serving a 25-game suspension. The Grizzlies' injury-ridden lineup led to the NBA granting them two 10-day hardship contracts, securing Shaq Harrison and Jaylen Nowell. However, their contributions on Friday were limited.

In the absence of key players like Bradley Beal and Drew Eubanks for the Suns, Booker's exceptional scoring display underscored the team's resilience. Despite challenges, the Suns, now eyeing a clash with the New York Knicks, credit Booker as a driving force behind their six-game winning streak.

Looking ahead, the Suns travel to face the Knicks, while the Grizzlies aim to bounce back as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.