PHOENIX – Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 38 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.

Desmond Bane scored 31 points while the Grizzlies, playing without the injured Ja Morant (right shoulder strain) and Zach Edey (concussion protocol), never trailed. Reserve Luke Kennard scored 17 points and John Konchar grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, helping Memphis move into second place in the Western Conference at 23-11.

Devin Booker returned for Phoenix after missing five games with a left groin strain and posted 16 points and nine assists. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 29 points and 10 rebounds.

The Suns, losing for the sixth time in seven games, played without Jusuf Nurkic and was serving the second of his three-game suspension for his involvement in a fight with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Bradley Beal left the game in the first half with a bruised left hip.

Although no one was fouled, there were 54 fouls and 58 free throw attempts in the game. Jackson Jr. was 10 of 17 from the line and also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Booker last played on Dec. 19 in a loss to Indiana. The Suns lost four of the five games they played without Booker, who entered Tuesday’s game against Memphis averaging 25.1 points and 6.4 assists per game.

Takeaways

Grizzlies: Jaylen Wells scored 11 points as the Grizzlies won without two starters.

Suns: Booker started slowly but got back into the rhythm by scoring the Suns’ first five points of the second quarter.

Key moment

Konchar’s three-point play with 1:05 remaining gave Memphis a 113-106 lead after the Suns had gotten within one point earlier.

Key statistics

Late in the first quarter, Jackson outscored the Suns 19-18 at one point.

Next

The Suns play at Indiana on Saturday. The Grizzlies are in Sacramento on Friday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA