Suns G Devin Booker’s go-ahead 3 negated by Ja Morant’s game-winner

The Phoenix Suns lost in heartbreaking fashion in Monday night’s 114-113 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

After being down 18 points at one point, the Suns battled back to take the lead with five seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Phoenix did so after guard Devin Booker hit a wide-open three-pointer coming out of a timeout.

DEVIN BOOKER, FOR THE LEAD!@Suns 113@memgrizz 112

5 seconds left: https://t.co/wVIrg3a7TL pic.twitter.com/HazfEk63RR

— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2021

However, on the ensuing play, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant found a way to convert on this acrobatic layup with 0.5 seconds remaining.

Ja Morant drives, hangs, switches hands and gets it to on his way down, FOR THE @memgrizz WIN! pic.twitter.com/GnTl4RbAEJ

— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2021

Phoenix was without center Deandre Ayton, forward Jae Crowder and head coach Monty Williams, all of whom are in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Assistant coach Kevin Young will serve as the Suns head coach during Williams’ absence.

“We fought so hard to get back,” Young told reporters after the game. “A little bit of a defensive miscommunication probably on that last one where Ja scored it but he’s a great player and we did everything kind of in that fourth quarter. We were throwing a lot at him, so kudos to him for making that play.”

Suns’ Mikal Bridges had the final shot of the contest, but it fell short, ending both the game and Phoenix’s chances of picking up the win.

The loss marks the second consecutive defeat at Footprint Center after winning 15 games in a row at home.

Morant was the game’s leading scorer with 33 points and was followed by teammate Desmond Bane’s 32.

Booker’s 30 points led all Suns scorers.

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