Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns were five seconds away from beating the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday … until Ja Morant happened.
With the time remaining on the clock, Morant fooled the Suns' defense with a fake handoff and attacked the basket for the tough game-winner. It gave Phoenix their second-straight defeat after falling to the Golden State Warriors on Christmas.
JA MORANT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN@JaMorant | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/p5m2dikURl
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) December 28, 2021
While a lot of things went wrong for the Suns even before the contest–with Deandre Ayton heading to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols–Chris Paul admitted he was to blame for their last-second blunder.




Looking at the replays of the game, it was clear Paul should be switching to Morant but he looked at Desmond Bane at the thought of a handoff. The moment of hesitation was enough for Morant to get some space from the defense and attack the rim. Of course not any player can do it, but Ja Morant has already established a reputation as a great finished at the basket.
“That was on me,” Paul said on the Suns' loss following Morant's clutch bucket, adding there was a miscommunication on the switching, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central.
The Suns dropped to 26-7 on the season with the defeat, though they are still way ahead of the competition in the West. Paul and Phoenix have a chance to bounce back on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it won't be easy with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing really well at the moment.