The Phoenix Suns can’t seem to catch a break. On October 29th, 2025, at the Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix dropped a gut-wrenching 114–113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies — capped off by a Ja Morant dagger in the final seconds. It was another night of what-ifs and missed opportunities for a team still searching for its rhythm early in the season.

A Promising Start Fades Away
The Suns opened strong, determined to bounce back after consecutive losses. Devin Booker, who scored just three points in the first half, caught fire after halftime to finish with 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Mark Williams, making his first start of the 2025–26 season, delivered his best game yet as a Sun — 20 points and 11 rebounds. The former Charlotte Hornets center, now in his fourth NBA season, provided Phoenix with a much-needed interior spark and strong defensive presence.

Phoenix led 53–49 at halftime, thanks to improved ball movement and contributions from the bench. But Memphis, led by Ja Morant’s 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, wouldn’t go away quietly.

Turnovers and Crunch-Time Collapse
The story of the night was turnovers — and lots of them. The Suns committed 22, leading directly to 37 Memphis points. No team can win consistently giving away that many free possessions, and that stat alone told the story of this game.
Memphis took control in the fourth, building a 99–89 lead before Phoenix stormed back. Booker’s mid-range jumper tied it at 108 with just over two minutes remaining, and Williams’ steal and dunk moments later gave the Suns a 113–112 lead with under a minute to go.

Then came the dagger.
With 7.6 seconds left, Ja Morant pulled up and buried a jumper to put Memphis back on top. Booker’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing another heartbreaking defeat.

What This Means for Phoenix
The loss drops Phoenix to 1–4, continuing a frustrating start for a team with playoff aspirations. While Williams’ performance is a bright spot, the Suns’ late-game execution remains a major concern.

Areas of focus going forward:

Despite the outcome, there’s progress. Williams’ emergence adds a new dimension to the rotation, and Booker’s second-half leadership continues to be the team’s backbone.

Looking Ahead
The Suns return home Friday to face the Utah Jazz, opening their NBA In-Season Tournament schedule. Expect practices this week to focus on defensive communication, late-game situations, and — most importantly — valuing each possession.

The Suns are close to breaking through. But in a league defined by inches and seconds, the difference between victory and defeat remains razor thin — and on this night, Ja Morant reminded them exactly how sharp that edge can be.
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