- Cam Spencer scored a career-high 16 points, including two crucial free throws to secure the Memphis Grizzlies’ win over the Phoenix Suns.
- Spencer’s performance, which included a technical foul after trash-talking Kevin Durant, earned praise from teammates Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, who offered to pay his fine.
- The Grizzlies, missing several key players, relied on strong contributions from bench players like Spencer, Scotty Pippen Jr., Lamar Stevens, Jay Huff, and Marvin Bagley to secure the victory.
Cam Spencer was sitting on the bench with the Memphis Grizzlies up three points and 17.6 seconds left in the game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
With the Grizzlies preparing to inbound the ball, guard Desmond Bane passionately yelled toward the bench.
“Put Cam in to pass it! Put Cam in to pass it!” Bane said.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins listened, and Spencer was subbed into the game. Three seconds of game time later, Spencer knocked down the two free throws that proved to be the difference in a 120-118 Memphis win at FedExForum.
“Smart player, good free-throw shooter,” Bane said. “I think that’s the biggest key down the stretch. . . . I have the utmost confidence in him. He’s a winner. I knew he would be ready for the moment, and he was.”
That sequence was part of an overall big night from Spencer, who had a career high 16 points off the bench. More playing time was available with Memphis missing Luke Kennard, Vince Williams Jr. and four bigs.
Spencer may be a rookie, but he’s earned the trust of teammates through his preparation and work in practice. It was in those practices where Grizzlies players like Bane realized how good of a free-throw shooter Spencer is, leading to Bane vouching for Spencer in a clutch moment.
