Upsets happen in every sport but more often than not the road team missing an All-Star is going to fall short. These Memphis Grizzlies do not go gently into that good night regardless of circumstance and a win over the Phoenix Suns is the latest example.

Jaren Jackson Jr. paired 38 points with 10 rebounds and Desmond Bane added 31 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 win over the host Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 38 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night

The Memphis Grizzlies are used to Ja Morant’s needle-moving methods. His whirling dervish ways bring in fans and boost broadcast numbers. Despite missing 14 of 34 games, Morant is sitting seventh in Western Conference backcourt tallies.

The NBA today announced that Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the Kia Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for games played during December.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was named NBA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for December, the NBA announced Thursday afternoon.

Jackson was the only player in the NBA to have 20-plus steals and 20-plus blocks last month, while Mobley was tied for second in the East in contested shots per game in December.

Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Defensive