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Grizzlies Rookie Cam Spencer Briefly Explained Testy Exchange With Kevin Durant

Spencer had a career-high 16 points and a jawing match with KD Monday night.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Spencer during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Spencer during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cam Spencer has some confidence.

At the third-quarter buzzer on Monday night, he jawed at Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant in a testy moment after draining three-pointer as Durant ran to defend.

Once the quarter came to its close, Spencer had some words for the superstar as he went back on defense. Memphis guard Desmond Bane came to get his teammate's back, getting in Durant's face before Durant shoved him away.

Watching the skirmish on replay, you can't make out exactly what Spencer said, other than they were some choice words. Durant pointed at Spencer and had some words of his own, before Bane came to back up his rookie. And Durant was having none of it.

The Grizzlies held onto a narrow 120-118 win as Durant missed a tough three-pointer at the buzzer which would've won the game. Spencer scored a career-high 16 points, which included two free throws in the final seconds which turned into the game-winning points for Memphis. After the best game of his young career, he had to be asked about his confidence trash talking one of the NBA's biggest stars.

"No, that stays on the court," Spencer said when asked postgame about what he said to Durant. "Not good for TV."

Durant did it all for Phoenix in the difficult loss, scoring 35 points, along with five rebounds and five assists. The Suns dropped to 30-35 in a disappointing year. Memphis advanced to 41-24, tied for the No. 3-seed in the Western Conference.


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Blake Silverman
BLAKE SILVERMAN

Blake Silverman is a writer at Sports Illustrated, primarily covering the NBA and WNBA. Before joining SI in November 2024 as a breaking/trending news writer, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation and A10Talk. He’s an alum of both Michigan State and St. Bonaventure University, receiving a master’s degree from the Bonnies’ sports journalism program. Outside of work, he’s a husband, father, yogi and fairly mediocre tennis player who’s open to any tips on how to play defense in EA Sports College Football.