Suns pull away late, beat Grizzlies 131-105

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 131-105 on Monday, March 30, 2026, at FedExForum, pulling away with a dominant fourth quarter behind Devin Booker, who led all scorers with 36 points. Phoenix stayed in front most of the night before turning a competitive game into a decisive road win over the final 12 minutes.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter

Phoenix opened with a slight edge and took the first quarter 34-31. The Suns generated a steady offensive rhythm early, moving the ball well and creating clean looks both at the rim and from three-point range. Memphis kept pace by matching shot-making for long stretches, which prevented the Suns from creating much separation.

Second quarter

The Suns again held a narrow advantage in the second, outscoring Memphis 31-30 to take a 65-61 lead into halftime. Booker continued to set the tone, and Phoenix’s offense stayed efficient with multiple contributors involved. Memphis remained within reach by executing in the half court and getting enough production across the lineup to keep the margin manageable.

Third quarter

The Grizzlies made a modest push after the break, winning the third quarter 28-26. That trimmed Phoenix’s lead to 91-89 entering the fourth and gave the home crowd reason to believe Memphis could make the final stretch a toss-up. Instead, the Suns responded with their best basketball of the night when the game tightened.

Fourth quarter

The game turned completely in the final period. Phoenix outscored Memphis 40-16 in the fourth, taking control with pace, ball movement, and a clear edge on the glass. While the Grizzlies struggled to sustain offense, the Suns kept producing quality possessions and quickly expanded a two-point lead into a comfortable 26-point victory.

Key performers

Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker led the way with 36 points and was the game’s top scorer, delivering the kind of efficient, steady offensive performance Phoenix needed. Collin Gillespie added 10 assists, helping direct a Suns attack that finished with 37 assists as a team. Khaman Maluach controlled the boards with 11 rebounds, giving Phoenix extra possessions and helping limit Memphis to one-shot trips.

Phoenix also got strong team-wide production, reflected in 55 made field goals and 17 made three-pointers. The Suns shot 50.5 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from deep, numbers that underscored how consistently they created and converted quality opportunities.

Memphis Grizzlies
Tyler Burton led Memphis with 17 points, while Cam Spencer added 16 points. Walter Clayton Jr. finished with a team-high seven assists, and DeJon Jarreau grabbed eight rebounds. Memphis shot a solid 50.7 percent overall and 36.7 percent from three, but the Grizzlies could not match Phoenix’s volume of made shots or late-game execution.

NerdSports Stat: Phoenix made 55 field goals to Memphis’ 38 while shooting nearly the same percentage, meaning the Suns’ biggest edge came from creating 34 more shot attempts and turning that volume into a 17-point advantage on made baskets alone.

Game analysis

This result came down to possession control and late-game separation. Even though both teams finished above 50 percent from the field, Phoenix attempted 109 shots compared to Memphis’ 75, a major difference that shaped the game. The Suns also won the rebounding battle 47-33 and piled up 37 assists, indicators of a team that was dictating the flow offensively and extending possessions.

The first three quarters suggested a close finish. Phoenix led by three after one, by four at halftime, and by only two entering the fourth. But once the Suns found another gear in the final period, Memphis could not respond. The 40-16 fourth quarter was the defining stretch, combining efficient scoring with defensive stops and a much sharper finish in execution.

For Memphis, the offensive percentages were respectable, but the overall shot volume gap and rebounding deficit were too much to overcome. The Grizzlies also missed a chance to build on their solid third quarter, as the closing period swung firmly in Phoenix’s favor almost immediately.

Closing context

With the win, the Suns improved to 42-33 and strengthened their position in the Western Conference playoff race. Phoenix also moved back above .500 on the road at 18-18. The Grizzlies dropped to 25-50, and this one followed a familiar pattern for a rebuilding team that stayed close for stretches but could not sustain that level over a full 48 minutes.

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