Memphis star Ja Morant was ejected just before halftime as an undermanned Oklahoma City Thunder squad ended Memphis’ winning NBA run at seven with a 115-109.
Morant was ejected with 43 seconds left in the half when he was called for his second technical foul after apparently making remarks to courtside Memphis fans that were derogatory about the officiating.
Morant scored just six points on 3-of-10 shooting. The All-Star guard picked up his first technical 11 seconds earlier after committing a foul to stop play and complaining about a no-call on a drive to the basket.
The Thunder, playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Australia’s Josh Giddey, ended a five-game losing streak.
Lu Dort scored 24 points and Isiah Joe had a season-high 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers.
Dillon Brooks led Memphis with 32 points.
Playing with a collection of reserves, rookies and two-way players getting their most extensive action of the season, the Thunder maintained a double-digit lead until the final two minutes.
Memphis made a late run, closing to five in the final minute on Brooks’ 3-pointer.
As well as Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder were without Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Devin Booker scored a season-high 58 points, using one of the best scoring efforts of his career to almost single-handedly push the Phoenix Suns past the New Orleans Pelicans 118-114.
It’s the second time this season Booker has topped 50 points – he scored 51 against the Bulls on November 30 in just three quarters.
This effort was even more impressive because it brought the Suns back from a 24-point deficit in the second half. The three-time All-Star made 21 of 35 shots, including 6 of 12 3-pointers.
He added five rebounds and five assists.
In the first NBA game in Mexico City since 2019, Jimmy Butler scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Miami Heat extended their winning streak to four.
Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 31 points to ensure the Los Angeles Clippers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Washington 102-93, extending the Wizards’ skid to a season-worst nine games.
There were also wins for Milwaukee and Portland.
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