Field Level MediaSuns' Rubio attempts to silence Grizzlies' Morant
Rookie point guard Ja Morant's return from injury Monday gave Memphis a big lift.
It also ensured that two of the most effective and efficient point guards in the league will meet for the second time this season when the Phoenix Suns host the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Morant had 26 points and a season-high three 3-pointers in a 110-102 victory at Golden State on Monday, his first game after missing four while dealing with back spasms that resulted from a collision with a court-side camera operator at Indiana on Nov. 25.
Suns point guard Ricky Rubio had 16 points and 14 assists in a 125-109 victory over Minnesota on Monday. It was his ninth double-double, the seventh in points and assists, and his third straight game with at least 13 assists.
Morant scored 13 of his points on 5-of-6 shooting in the fourth quarter, and several of his makes came when the Warriors went under high screens, leaving him open looks from deep.
Morant also had a team-high seven of Memphis' 29 assists as the Grizzlies prepare to finish a four-game trip in Phoenix. They had lost nine of 10 before beating Golden State.
"There is a lot of trust with (Morant) and when the ball is in his hand," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "He is super unselfish and will make the right play."
Rubio had only one turnover against Minnesota, his fifth game with at least 10 assists and one or fewer turnovers. LeBron James is the only other player in the league with as many as three such games.
The Suns have had 29 assists or more in their last seven games, their longest streak since the Steve Nash team did it from Nov. 30-Dec. 10, 2007.
