Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward skied for a long rebound with under 15 seconds to play and his team down by one. He threw the ball up the floor to Santi Aldama.

Aldama, without hesitation, knew exactly what to do next. 

He found the player that lives for the moment — Memphis’ closer and one of the NBA’s best clutch scorers — Ja Morant. 

Morant’s buzzer beater carries Grizzlies over Suns

This time, Morant didn’t wait for the final seconds to tick away to deliver the dagger. He saw the gap in the defense and exploited it by rocketing into the lane and then into the air as he shot the floater. 

It dropped right through the net with 7 seconds to play, and the Grizzlies forced a 3-point heave wide by Suns guard Devin Booker as the clock expired on a 114-113 road victory. 

CALL 12??

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— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) October 30, 2025

The theme throughout was survival, even against a Phoenix team dealing with impactful injuries. 

Memphis had to survive a 3-point onslaught by Suns wing Royce O’Neal, who made six of them.

It had to survive a microwave fourth quarter from Booker, who dropped in 16 points in the final 12 minutes. 

It had to survive 17 turnovers and a cold spell from deep in the first half. 

It even had to survive an uncharacteristic mistake from one of its stars, Jaren Jackson Jr., who fumbled away a turnover in the final minute that was nearly the final touch on a double-digit Suns comeback. 

Still, the Grizzlies came out unscathed. They had the necessary essential packed, Morant, who scored 28 in the game and 10 in the fourth quarter to pull his team across the finish line.

But it wasn’t just Morant’s late-game heroics that propelled the Grizzlies to a win.

After a first half in which the Grizzlies struggled to generate offense, the star point guard took control with his pace and vision. He dished three critical assists in the fourth quarter as Memphis clung to a lead.

Two of Morant’s passes found Coward for open shots — the first a running alley-oop slam and the second a wide-open 3-pointer. Morant also targeted bench guard Cam Spencer, who hit two 3s in the fourth quarter to extend the lead. 

It was the full package of Morant’s brilliance — despite the fact that he finished with six turnovers — and a reminder that he can seemingly spark a fire for Memphis no matter the conditions. 

Box score: Grizzlies 114, Suns 113

Just enough distance

In addition to Morant’s game winner, there was another play that will be circled as a critical moment in the game's final result. 

Aldama drove into the paint during the fourth quarter and shoveled a pass to the corner for teammate Jaylen Wells, who received the ball and lifted a 3-point shot all in one motion. 

As the attempt went through the net, Wells was pushed into the Phoenix Suns bench by the defending Booker. 

The officials called a foul and the television cameras cut to a close-up of the second-year Grizzlies wing. To his left, Booker was already arguing with officials. To his right, the look on former Grizzly Dillon Brooks’ face said it all. 

Brooks, who was out with groin soreness and dressed in street clothes, sat stoically with pursed lips and his hands together in dissatisfaction. 

pic.twitter.com/MQBxnSOWGs

— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) October 30, 2025

The four-point play gave the Grizzlies an eight-point lead, which was just enough cushion to withstand a 16-6 Phoenix run from 4:34 to 51 seconds remaining in the final quarter. 

Brooks, who played the first six seasons of his career in Memphis, entered Wednesday 6-2 when playing against his former team. 

This time, the Grizzlies were able to grab a win back. 

Bench production

Memphis received 42 points from its bench, including a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double from Aldama. 

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo leaned more heavily into Spencer as a secondary ball handler in the second half, playing rookie point guard Javon Small for only 10 minutes. 

The Grizzlies are still thin as they deal with injuries to several key players, but they have found ways to keep games in reach by taking advantage of extra possessions. 

They scored 37 points off 21 Suns turnovers and also scored 12 second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds. 

Concerns about the team’s rebounding ability, given its lack of depth, have mostly been hushed through the first five games, particularly against opponents like Phoenix with smaller lineups. 

A double victory?

By winning in Phoenix, the Grizzlies helped themselves out in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Memphis and Phoenix are both involved in a complex pick swap involving four teams that was part of the trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in June. 

The need-to-know version for those that are interested: If the Washington Wizards finish below the Suns in the standings, Memphis will have the right to swap selections with Phoenix in the first round. The Suns have no protections on the potential swap. 

For that reason, the Grizzlies are hoping the Suns struggle the rest of the season. They are off to a 1-4 start. 

Grizzlies podcast: Cedric Coward makes splash

Up next

The Grizzlies will return to FedExForum to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at 8:30 p.m. (Amazon Prime Video and FanDuel Sports Network).