Basketball is a game of streaks, but when it comes to the Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies matchup, it's more like a recurring fever. You can’t really look at the Western Conference standings in 2026 without acknowledging how these two teams constantly trip over each other. Honestly, if you grew up watching the "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns or the "Grit and Grind" Grizzlies, the modern version of this clash feels like a weird, high-octane remix of both eras.
It’s personal now.
Think back to the January 7, 2026, meeting at FedExForum. The Suns walked in as favorites, but Memphis has this annoying habit—if you're a Suns fan—of playing like their lives depend on every loose ball, even when their roster looks like a walking hospital wing. Phoenix eventually took that one 117-98, but the score doesn't tell the whole story. It never does with these two.
The Stars and the Scrappers
Everyone talks about Devin Booker. He’s the engine. In that January win, he didn't even have his best shooting night, yet he still controlled the geometry of the floor. But the real story lately has been the supporting cast. Mark Williams has turned into a double-double machine for Phoenix, grabbing 12 boards in that recent Memphis trip.
Then you have the Dillon Brooks factor.
Watching Dillon Brooks play against the Grizzlies is like watching a guy try to beat his older brother in a driveway game. He spent six seasons in Memphis. He knows where the bodies are buried. Now that he's in Phoenix, he treats every game against the Grizzlies like a personal vendetta, scoring 20.4 points over a recent 10-game stretch. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what makes this matchup worth your Tuesday night.
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On the other side, Memphis is just... resilient. Ja Morant is still the headliner, the guy who can jump over a literal skyscraper, but Jaren Jackson Jr. is the one holding the fort when the injury bug bites. And boy, does it bite Memphis.
By mid-January 2026, the Grizzlies' injury report looked like a CVS receipt.
- Zach Edey (Out - Ankle)
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (Out - Toe)
- Brandon Clarke (Out - Calf)
- Ja Morant (Day-to-Day - Calf)
Despite that, they keep games close. They rank high in fast-break points because they refuse to slow down, even when they're gassed.
Why the Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies Dynamic Shifted
For a long time, the Suns were the "big brothers." They had the veteran savvy, the deep playoff runs, and the Hall of Fame talent. Memphis was the young, hungry upstart. But the gap has vanished. If you look at the head-to-head record over the last few seasons, it’s remarkably balanced. Memphis actually held a 6-3 lead over a nine-game stretch leading into the 2025-26 season.
The October 29, 2025, game was a perfect example. Memphis edged out a 114-113 win. Ja Morant hit a go-ahead jumper with seven seconds left, and Booker missed a three at the buzzer. That's the Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies experience in a nutshell: 47 minutes of high-level basketball followed by one minute of pure, unadulterated heart attacks.
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The Defensive Identity Crisis
Phoenix has leaned heavily into a defensive identity lately. They’ve been top-ten in defensive rating, leading the league in steals at various points this season. It's a weird pivot for a franchise known for offense, but with guys like Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams, they’ve become a "switch-everything" nightmare.
Memphis tries to counter this with sheer volume. They crash the offensive glass. They force you into mistakes. Even when they're shooting poorly—like their 45.5% field goal average earlier this year—they stay in games by winning the "math" battle of extra possessions.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of casual fans think the Suns are just a "super-team" waiting to happen. It's not that simple. The 2026 roster is built on role players like Collin Gillespie, who has become a vital floor spacer. When Gillespie is hitting his threes, the gravity opens up everything for Booker. When he's cold, like his 20% stretch in early January, the Suns' offense looks stagnant.
Also, don't sleep on Grayson Allen coming off the bench. He's been the spark plug that keeps the second unit from collapsing when the starters sit.
For Memphis, the misconception is that they're a one-man show. Sure, Ja is the sun they orbit, but Santi Aldama has evolved into a legit stretch-four threat, and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s rim protection is the only reason their defense doesn't fall apart when they play small.
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Viewing the Future
If these two meet in the playoffs—which, let's be honest, the NBA gods probably want—it’s going to be a bloodbath. Phoenix is currently sitting around the 7th seed in the West, with Memphis hovering near the 10th. The Play-In tournament is a very real possibility for this matchup.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup:
- Watch the First Quarter: Memphis usually starts fast to mask their lack of depth. If Phoenix leads by 10 after the first, the Grizzlies' short rotation usually can't recover.
- The "Brooks" Effect: Keep an eye on the fouls. Dillon Brooks is going to be aggressive. If he gets two quick ones, the Suns' perimeter defense loses its teeth.
- Check the Injury Report Late: Memphis is notorious for "Game Time Decisions." Don't place any bets or finalize fantasy lineups until 30 minutes before tip-off.
- Rebound Margin: This is the "secret" stat. If Mark Williams out-rebounds Jaren Jackson Jr. by more than five, Phoenix almost always wins.
The Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies rivalry isn't just about who has more talent. It’s about two different philosophies—Phoenix’s disciplined, defensive-minded structure versus Memphis’s chaotic, high-energy transition game. Whether you're in the Valley or the 901, you know exactly what you're getting when these two step on the hardwood. It’s never boring.
To keep track of the latest shifts, keep an eye on the official NBA injury reports and the Western Conference tiebreaker scenarios, as these two are likely to be neck-and-neck until April.