Devin Booker’s Sloppy Play Leads Suns to Grizzlies Loss
The Phoenix Suns faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, suffering a narrow defeat, 114-113. This marks the Suns’ fourth consecutive loss, dropping their record to 1-4 in the early NBA season.
Defensive Struggles and Turnovers
One of the primary issues for the Suns has been their inability to control turnovers. They allowed the Grizzlies to score 37 points off turnovers, with 15 of those occurring in the critical fourth quarter. This alarming trend follows a pattern from previous games, where they had already given up 23, 24, 28, and 25 points off turnovers in earlier matchups.
- 37 points off turnovers on Wednesday
- Fourth consecutive loss for the Suns
- Record now stands at 1-4
Head coach Jordan Ott expressed frustration, stating that the team needs to reduce turnovers significantly. “Kick it out of bounds instead of giving it to the other team,” he remarked, emphasizing their defensive collapse.
Inconsistent Performance from Devin Booker
The Suns are still searching for the real Devin Booker, whose performance has been inconsistent. In this game, he scored 32 points but shot only 10-of-26 from the field. His struggles are evident, particularly in the first half of games. Currently, his shooting percentage for the first half stands at 34.1%, compared to a notable 58.5% in the second half.
- Booker: 32 points, 10-of-26 shooting
- 34.1% shooting in first halves this season
- 58.5% shooting in second halves this season
Game Highlights
The matchup saw the Suns come back from notable deficits in the second half. Memphis led by as many as ten points in the fourth quarter before Phoenix rallied. However, key defensive miscommunications allowed the Grizzlies to regain control at crucial moments.
In a tense final minute, Booker attempted a difficult step-back three-pointer but missed, sealing the Suns’ fate. The sequence culminated with Ja Morant of the Grizzlies hitting a clutch floater that ultimately decided the game.
Player Performances
For the Suns, Mark Williams excelled, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in his first start. Collin Gillespie contributed significantly as well, adding 14 points and six assists.
The Grizzlies were led by Morant, who recorded 28 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Meanwhile, Memphis played without several key players, including Brandon Clarke and Ty Jerome.
Injury Updates and the Road Ahead
Looking ahead, the Suns are dealing with injuries to players like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who are both considered day-to-day. Green’s potential return is highly anticipated following reports of optimism from the Suns’ coaching staff.
As the season progresses, the Suns will need to address their turnover issues and find a way to better utilize their star players if they hope to improve after a rocky start.
