The Memphis Grizzlies secured a strong 119-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 11, 2024, at Footprint Center, but the night was particularly momentous for Suns’ star Kevin Durant. Durant made history by becoming the eighth player in NBA history to reach the impressive milestone of 30,000 career points. Despite Durant's achievement, the Suns faced their fifth loss in the last six games, complicatinfg their playoff positioning.
Durant, who led all scorers with 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting, hit the milestone during the third quarter, sinking two free throws with just 1:11 left on the clock. This feat placed him alongside legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as one of the fastest players to reach the milestone. At 36 years old, Durant continues to showcase his scoring prowess, now sitting only 1,411 points behind Chamberlain for seventh on the all-time scoring list. "Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points when he sank two free throws with 1:11 left in the third quarter," reported NBC Sports.
The Grizzlies, bolstered by contributions from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, displayed their depth with six players scoring in double figures. Morant scored 26 points and added seven rebounds and six assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities throughout the contest. Memphis controlled the boards markedly, finishing with 60 rebounds compared to Phoenix's 42, and effectively stifled their opponent's attempts at three-point shooting. The Suns struggled significantly from beyond the arc, hitting only 27.3% of their three-point attempts, which proved detrimental to their chances of success. "The Grizzlies had a 60-42 rebounding edge and got 44 points from bench players," highlighted The Associated Press.
The game’s first quarter saw Memphis establish dominance, leading 36-26, and extending their advantage to 19 points by halftime (68-56). Bol Bol, making his first start for Phoenix, contributed solidly with 18 points and 14 rebounds. His performance was not enough to secure victory, as the Suns continued to exhibit inconsistencies, largely due to the absence of star guard Bradley Beal, who has not played for the past three games due to injury. "Phoenix — playing without injured guard Bradley Beal — still seems to be searching for a consistent playing rotation," remarked The Commercial Appeal.
Despite trailing by as many as 15 points during the third quarter, the Suns made a late push. They ended the third on a 7-0 run, trimming the Grizzlies' lead to just eight points. Durant’s milestone free throw came at the end of this quarter, sealing another chapter of his career. The Suns sliced the deficit to just three points at 112-109 late in the fourth thanks to Bol’s three-pointer, but Memphis quickly responded with Ja Morant scoring on the next possession. This defensive resilience ensured they would not relinquish their lead.
Looking at the aftermath, the Suns' current record stands at 26-27, placing them 11th in the Western Conference, with discussions circulating about their roster and general performance. They face off against the Houston Rockets next, hoping to shake off the recent disarray. Conversely, the Grizzlies, now over .500 on the road and having won three straight, look to strengthen their position as they aim for the playoffs, sitting fourth with expectations high.
This game served as both irony and affirmation; Kevin Durant’s feat shines bright among his team’s difficulties, echoing the broader narrative about individual achievement versus collective challenges. The NBA season continues to ebb and flow, with both teams clinging to hopes of postseason strength as they grapple with the demands of the next games.