The Phoenix Suns didn’t just beat the Portland Trail Blazers—they outclassed them. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the Suns rolled to a 127-110 victory, turning a tight first half into a decisive third-quarter explosion that left the Blazers gasping. Devin Booker, the Suns’ star shooting guard, poured in 19 points before sitting out the final quarter, while Collin Gillespie, the unheralded bench point guard, matched him with 19 of his own—a performance that quietly reshaped the game’s momentum.
From Frantic to Dominant: The Third Quarter Turnaround
At halftime, it looked like Portland might steal one. Down just 64-61 after an 8-0 run to close the second quarter, the Blazers had hope. But then came the third quarter—and the Suns turned it into a clinic. Ryan Dunn dunked to make it 80-63. Collin Gillespie nailed a 27-foot pull-up three. Royce O'Neale found Dunn for a 23-footer. By the end of the frame, Phoenix had outscored Portland 36-21. The lead ballooned to 25 points. The Moda Center, usually loud when the Blazers fight, fell silent.
The Blazers’ shooting woes were glaring: 10-of-41 from deep (24.4%). Even Shaedon Sharpe, who dropped 29 points, couldn’t carry a team that couldn’t find its rhythm from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Suns’ ball movement was surgical. Mickelson Williams finished alley-oops from Devin Booker. Olivier-Maxence Prosper cut to the rim for a dunk off a pass from Dillon Brooks. This wasn’t just scoring—it was orchestration.
Brooks Hits Milestone, Trail Blazers Keep Missing Key Pieces
One of the quieter stories? Dillon Brooks notched his 1,000th career assist in the first half. The gritty forward, who had just returned from getting six stitches in his face after a practice collision on Saturday, November 16, 2025, finished with 12 points and four assists. His toughness was a subtle undercurrent in Phoenix’s win.
Portland, meanwhile, was missing critical pieces. Jerami Grant was out with illness. Jrue Holiday sat for the second straight game with calf soreness. Without them, the Blazers’ perimeter defense cracked. Their offense became stagnant, relying too much on isolated shots from Sharpe and the occasional three from Toumani Camara or Jaden Hardy. It wasn’t enough.
Rebounding After Heartbreak
This win was more than just a bounce-back—it was a statement. Just two days earlier, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Suns had blown a 22-point lead to the Atlanta Hawks, losing 124-122 in overtime. That loss snapped a five-game winning streak and exposed cracks in their late-game execution. Coach Jordan Ott had to answer questions about composure. He answered with discipline: rest Booker early, trust the bench, and let the defense dictate tempo.
The Suns’ record improved to 9-6, moving them past the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference standings. They now sit just behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. For Portland, it was their third straight loss—and fifth in six games. At 6-8, they’re slipping out of playoff contention, and the lack of depth is becoming impossible to ignore.
What’s Next? A Crucial Stretch for Both Teams
Phoenix heads home to the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, November 21, 2025. That’s a tough one—Minnesota’s 9-5 record and physical frontcourt will test the Suns’ balance. But with Booker recharged and Gillespie proving he can shoulder scoring duties, the Suns look like a team finding its groove.
Portland, meanwhile, hosts the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Without Holiday and Grant, and with their confidence shaken, they’ll need a miracle. Their next four games are against teams above .500. The window to salvage their season is closing fast.
Behind the Numbers: Why This Win Mattered
- Phoenix’s bench outscored Portland’s 54-32—a massive advantage in depth.
- Collin Gillespie’s 19 points were his career-high in a single game.
- The Suns held Portland to 39% shooting overall, including just 24.4% from three.
- Devin Booker played just 30 minutes, yet led the team in scoring.
- Portland’s 10 made threes were their fewest in any game this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Collin Gillespie’s performance impact the Suns’ rotation?
Gillespie’s 19-point outburst off the bench was a game-changer, proving he can carry the second unit when Booker rests. With the Suns’ starting backcourt often targeted defensively, Gillespie’s ability to create his own shot and hit clutch threes gives coach Jordan Ott more flexibility. His performance also eases pressure on backup guards like Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who can now focus more on defense and playmaking.
Why did Devin Booker get rested in the fourth quarter?
With the Suns leading by 25 points and the game well in hand, coach Jordan Ott chose to rest Booker ahead of Friday’s tough matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s a strategic move—Booker has played heavy minutes this season, and the Suns are prioritizing health over padding stats. He played just 30 minutes, his lowest in a win this month, signaling a shift toward smarter load management.
What does this loss mean for the Portland Trail Blazers’ playoff chances?
Portland’s five losses in six games have pushed them to the edge of the Western Conference playoff picture. With only 14 teams making the playoffs and the Thunder, Nuggets, and Timberwolves all ahead of them, the Blazers need a 7-3 run just to stay in contention. Missing Holiday and Grant makes that nearly impossible without a major turnaround in shooting efficiency or defense.
How did Dillon Brooks’ facial injury affect his play?
Brooks returned just two days after getting six stitches in his face from a practice collision, and while he wasn’t 100% physically, his energy and leadership were palpable. He played 31 minutes, recorded his 1,000th career assist, and defended aggressively. His toughness lifted the team’s morale—even if his scoring was limited, his presence stabilized the Suns’ second unit during critical stretches.
What’s the significance of Portland’s three-point shooting struggles?
Making just 10 of 41 threes (24.4%) is unsustainable in today’s NBA. Teams that shoot below 30% from deep rarely win consistently, especially on the road. Portland’s offense is built around spacing and catch-and-shoot opportunities, but without Holiday and Grant, their spacing collapsed. If they can’t improve this stat, their season may hinge on trades before the deadline.
Where do the Suns stand in the Western Conference after this win?
The Suns improved to 9-6, moving into the top six of the Western Conference. They’re now ahead of the Clippers and Kings, and just behind the Lakers (11-4) and Warriors (9-7). With a favorable schedule over the next two weeks, they have a real shot to climb into the top four—where home-court advantage matters most in the playoffs.
