PHOENIX (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Desmond Bane scored 17 points in his return and the Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of Phoenix star Devin Booker's absence to rout the Suns 125-100 on Friday night.
Phoenix played without Booker because of groin soreness for the third straight game, with the Suns losing the last two. In his last game, Booker scored a season-high 58 points in a home victory over New Orleans.
Tied with Denver for the Western Conference lead at 20-11, the Grizzlies had their starting lineup from last season on the floor for the first time this season. Bane played 24 minutes after missing 18 games because of a sprained right big toe.
Memphis scored the first eight points and led 15-4 when Phoenix called its first timeout. The Grizzlies were up 39-20 after 12 minutes after dropping the first two games on a four-game road swing.
Brandon Clarke had 24 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Memphis. Dillon Brooks added 16 points, Ja Morant had 12 points and 11 assists and Steven Adams grabbed 11 rebounds. The Grizzlies dominated the boards, 46-23.
Deandre Ayton led Phoenix (19-14) with 18 points. Duane Washington Jr. had 14 points in 19 minutes, and Landry Shamet — who scored a career-high 31 points in a loss to Washington on Tuesday night — added 13 points and a team-high five rebounds. Chris Paul had 10 points.
Before the game, Suns coach Monty Williams said Booker has been shooting the last couple of days and is progressing a bit, but he “didn’t want to speculate” if Booker would return on Christmas at Denver.
The teams will meet again Tuesday night in Memphis.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Coach Taylor Jenkins said before the game of Bane’s return: “Real proud of what he’s done the last couple weeks. He’s progressed ahead of schedule.” ... Morant, averaging 27.0 points per game entering Friday, was 4 of 14 from the floor and missed both 3-point attempts. ... Memphis is 9-8 against fellow Western Conference teams.
Suns: Jock Landale (concussion protocol) and Josh Okogie (right hip) returned to the Phoenix rotation. “Just having big depth is a plus,” Williams said. Cameron Payne remains sidelined by a sprained right foot. ... The Suns play their next six games on the road.
NEXT
Grizzlies: At Golden State on Sunday.
Suns: At Denver on Sunday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
