Phoenix and Memphis shone last night in the NBA thanks to the exceptional performances of their stars Devin Booker and Ja Morant. Despite the efforts of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks suffered a heavy defeat. Discover match details and key statistics!
Last night in the NBA was marked by exceptional performances from two young rising stars: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. Their respective teams won against serious opponents, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks, sending a strong message at the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Devin Booker in attack mode against the Clippers
For the second time in a week, the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers (125-119) in their new venue, the Intuit Dome. If the Clippers thought they had taken the upper hand after an excellent first quarter (37-20), they quickly became disillusioned with the diabolical skill of Devin Booker.
The Suns star was unstoppablecompiling no less than 40 points at 11/18 shooting including a superb 5/9 from three points. He added 8 assists and was clinical on free throws with a 13/15. Kevin Durant had a solid match (18 pts) without forcing, leaving Booker to take the offensive lead.
Booker punished our defense. We were unable to stop him in money time. It caught fire and we got burned.
– A Clippers player wishing to remain anonymous
Despite the triple-double of James Harden (25 pts, 10 rebounds, 13 feet but 6 lost balls) and the good performances of Ivica Zubac (22 pts, 12 rebounds) and Norman Powell (23 pts), the Clippers did not nothing could be done to stem the offensive fury of the Suns in the final minutes.
With this new victory against a direct competitor, Phoenix moves into 2nd place in the Western Conference with a record of 4 victories for 1 defeat in the absence of Bradley Beal, still injured in his right elbow.
Ja Morant’s triple-double in MVP mode
In Tennessee, the Memphis Grizzlies taught a lesson to the Milwaukee Bucks (122-99) driven by the 12th career triple-double of their leader Ja Morant. With 26 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assistsMorant delivered a complete score in the victory of his family.
As is often the case with Ja Morant, the spectacle was there with several dunks, blocks and dazzling passes that set the FedExForum on fire. Well supported by Santi Aldama (19 pts), Scotty Pippen Jr. (16 pts) and Jake LaRavia (11 pts, 10 rebounds), the Grizzlies leader distributed the caviars perfectly.
I take what the defense gives me. Tonight, I had good positions to score but my teammates were open, it was up to me to read the game well and serve them at the right time.
– Ja Morant, speaking to a reporter after the match
Opposite, the eternal Giannis Antetokounmpo did the job with his 37 points and 11 rebounds. But the two-time MVP was far too alone, with Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez being the only two other Bucks players with more than 10 points. Jrue Holiday’s 4pts at 1/12 in 33 minutes hurt a lot.
After a mixed start to the season and a balanced record (3v-3d), Memphis is raising its head and returning to 7th place in the Western Conference. The Bucks have suffered a 4th defeat in a row and will have to react quickly to avoid losing pace in the East.
The French of the night
- Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz): 8 pts, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks in the 116-109 victory against the Pelicans
- Evan Fournier (Mavericks): 11 pts at 4/9 shooting in the 105-112 loss against OKC
- Killian Hayes (Pistons): 14 pts, 4 wt in the 98-88 victory against Orlando
- Theo Maledon (Hornets): 12 pts, 3 rebounds in the 117-125 defeat against Boston
Other results of the night
- Cleveland – Indiana : 116-108
- Philadelphia – Toronto: 97-90
- New York – Denver : 120-125 ap
- Houston – San Antonio : 120-117
- Sacramento – Portland : 132-126
The 2024-2025 NBA season has only just begun but the cards have already been reshuffled! Between the return to form of established stars and the emergence of new talents, the suspense remains. Will we manage to have new champions or will the dominant teams of recent years (Boston, Golden State, LA Clippers, etc.) close the game? Answer in the coming weeks with many shocks on the program!
