Bane returns; Grizzlies rout Bookerless Suns 125–100

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.

Booker was unable to play in Phoenix because of groin pains for the third consecutive game. The Suns lost the previous two. Booker scored a season high 58 points during his last home victory over New Orleans.

The Grizzlies tied Denver for the Western Conference lead, at 20-11. They had their last season’s starting lineup on the floor for only the second time this season. Bane was on the floor for 24 minutes, having missed 18 games due to a sprained right large toe.

Phoenix called its first timeout after Memphis scored eight points and was leading 15-4. After dropping their first two games in a four-game road swing, the Grizzlies led 39-20 at 12 minutes.

Memphis’ Brandon Clarke had 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Dillon Brooks had 16 points, Ja Morrison had 12 points and 11 assists, while Steven Adams grabbed eleven rebounds. The Grizzlies won the boards by a wide margin, 46 to 23.

Deandre Ayton, Phoenix (19-14), scored 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 ten 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 be meeting 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 currently 9-8 against other Western Conference teams.

Suns: Josh Okogie (right hip), and Jock Landale, (concussion protocol), returned to the Phoenix rotation. “Just having big depth is a plus,” Williams said. Cameron Payne continues to be sidelined due to a sprained right ankle. … The Suns’ next six games will be played on the road.

NEXT

Grizzlies: At Golden State on Sunday.

Suns: Sunday night in Denver

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