Basketball is funny sometimes. One night you’re the king of the world, and the next you’re watching Dillon Brooks—the guy your fan base used to worship—rain down five three-pointers in your own building while wearing a purple jersey.
That’s exactly what went down on January 7, 2026. The Phoenix Suns vs Memphis Grizzlies matchup at FedExForum wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was a 117-98 statement. If you’ve been following the Western Conference lately, you know these two teams don't exactly send each other Christmas cards.
The Suns basically walked into Memphis and turned the lights out early. They hit 22 threes. Twenty-two! That’s a season-high for Phoenix, and honestly, the Grizzlies looked shell-shocked. It's weird seeing Memphis struggle like this, especially since they were the ones who squeaked out a 114-113 win back in October when Ja Morant hit that ridiculous floater.
But this time? No Ja. No luck.
The Dillon Brooks Revenge Tour
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Dillon Brooks back in Memphis.
The guy spent six years as the heartbeat of "Grit and Grind" 2.0. Now he’s in Phoenix, and he played like a man possessed. He dropped 21 points, with 18 of those coming in a blistering first half. Every time he hit a shot, you could feel the collective sigh from the Memphis crowd. It’s gotta hurt.
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He wasn't alone, though. Grayson Allen, another former Grizzly, chipped in 19 points. It felt like a homecoming party that the hosts weren't invited to.
Phoenix’s lineup has been surprisingly sturdy this year when they use the Gillespie-Booker-Brooks-O’Neale-Williams combo. They’re 7-4 with those five starting. Devin Booker didn’t even have to do the heavy lifting in this one, finishing with a relatively quiet 13 points and 8 assists. When your superstar can take a back seat and you still win by 19, you’re doing something right.
Memphis is Hurting (Literally)
It’s hard to judge the Grizzlies fairly right now. You look at their injury report and it looks like a CVS receipt.
- Ja Morant: Out (Calf/Bruise issues)
- Vince Williams Jr.: Out (Tendinitis)
- Brandon Clarke: Out (Strain)
- John Konchar: Out (Surgery)
Playing the Phoenix Suns vs Memphis Grizzlies game without Ja is like trying to win a drag race in a minivan. Jaren Jackson Jr. did what he could with 19 points, but he’s being asked to carry a load that’s just too heavy. The Grizzlies committed 18 turnovers that led to 25 Phoenix points. You just can't do that against a team that shoots 46% from the floor.
Cam Spencer and Javon Small both put up 14, but it felt like empty calories. The game was essentially over by the third quarter when Phoenix stretched the lead to 22.
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What the History Books Say
If you think this is a one-sided affair, you haven't been paying attention to the last few years. Before this January blowout, the Grizzlies had actually won five of the last six meetings dating back to late 2024.
Remember the double-overtime thriller in February 2025? Memphis won that 151-148. It was one of those games where defense was purely optional.
The rivalry has shifted from the "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns vs. the "Grit and Grind" Grizzlies of the 2010s to this weird, high-octane chess match. Phoenix is leaning into veteran shooting and wing defense, while Memphis is trying to survive a generational injury plague while waiting for their superstars to stay on the court.
Recent Head-to-Head Results
- Jan 7, 2026: Phoenix 117, Memphis 98 (The Brooks Revenge Game)
- Oct 29, 2025: Memphis 114, Phoenix 113 (The Ja Morant Floater)
- Mar 10, 2025: Memphis 120, Phoenix 118
- Feb 25, 2025: Memphis 151, Phoenix 148 (2OT)
The Scouting Report: What’s Next?
So, where do these teams go from here?
Phoenix is sitting at 22-15 and looking like a legitimate threat to make a deep run. They’ve won seven of their last nine. The addition of Mark Williams at center has given them a rim protector they desperately needed, and Collin Gillespie is starting to look like a real floor general.
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Memphis is at 16-21. It’s not panic time yet, but it’s getting late early. They need Ja Morant back, obviously, but they also need to find some identity beyond "hope JJJ blocks everything."
The shooting disparity is the real story of Phoenix Suns vs Memphis Grizzlies in 2026. Phoenix is built to bomb from deep. Memphis is built to attack the paint. When the threes aren't falling for the Suns, Memphis usually wins. When Phoenix hits 22 of them? Nobody in the league is beating that.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at the next time these two face off, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the Injury Report: Memphis is a completely different team with Ja Morant. If he's out, the Under on Grizzlies team totals is usually a safe bet because their half-court offense stagnates.
- The "Former Player" Factor: It sounds like a cliché, but Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen consistently play better against Memphis. They know the defensive schemes and clearly have a chip on their shoulders.
- The Three-Point Line: Phoenix lives and dies by the arc. If they are playing a team that doesn't close out on shooters—which Memphis struggled with in their last meeting—the Suns will run away with it.
- Turnover Margin: Memphis usually prides itself on winning the turnover battle. In the Jan 7 game, they lost it badly. If the Grizzlies can't protect the ball, they can't beat the elite teams in the West.
Keep a close eye on the waiver wire if you're a fantasy manager, too. Jordan Goodwin is carving out a massive role in Phoenix, and Javon Small is becoming a sneaky scoring option for a depleted Memphis backcourt. The next chapter of this rivalry is going to be about who gets healthy first.