Ja Morant said his persistence was key after helping the Memphis Grizzlies outlast the Phoenix Suns to win the highest-scoring game of the NBA season on Tuesday.

The Grizzlies beat the Suns 151-148 in overtime to improve to 38-20 for the season, the second-best record in the Western Conference.

Morant had 29 points and eight assists, with Jaren Jackson Jr. adding 28 points and Desmond Bane tacking on 25 for Memphis.

Morant scored the Grizzlies' last 11 points of regulation time, while his final assist was a feed to Jaylen Wells, who made a crucial dunk with just 9.1 seconds remaining in overtime.

He had made just two of 14 attempts from the field through the first three quarters, but he refused to let those figures stop him from pulling the trigger.

"It's about just staying locked. I know every shot I take won't go in, but that doesn't mean that when you miss one, you stop taking them," Morant said.

"It's just continuing to shoot the ball. Shoot it with confidence.

"Coach and the players stay on me about that — just continuing to keep a positive body language. Obviously that's tough when you're a competitor, so you're at a disadvantage."

Difference makers came up CLUTCH in OT  pic.twitter.com/1YJ5cLJgfv

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 26, 2025

The topsy-turvy game, which saw a combined 299 points scored, featured 22 lead changes and 22 instances of a team drawing level.

After Wells' dunk finally put the game beyond Phoenix, Morant celebrated by dancing in the centre of the court, prompting Bane to joke: "It's about time, man. I thought he forgot how to dance!

"It was a great environment from the fans. It felt reminiscent of some playoff games we've had here in the past. It's about that time, for sure."

Memphis are next in action against New York Knicks on Friday, in the second game of a five-game home stretch.