The Memphis Grizzlies finished up what had to be the best 1-3 road trip in franchise history last night, falling to the Phoenix Suns 107-102. For the very young team, it was a week of competitive, spirited basketball notable for the dramatic emergence of rookie guard O.J. Mayo.
Mayo averaged 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 50% shooting on the road trip and last night became the first rookie since 1980 to score 30 points on consecutive nights (33 last night, 31 Sunday night in Denver). And he did so in dramatic fashion against the Suns, taking over the point guard role and scoring 19 points and dishing out 4 assists in the game’s final 13 minutes while pulling the Grizzlies from a 17-point deficit to a two-point lead until the Suns pulled it out.
Mayo’s breakout will have a big impact on the Grizzlies future. Chris Herrington addresses one of many Mayo-related questions at Beyond the Arc.