The Phoenix Suns didn’t just win — they dismantled the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 at the Moda Center on Tuesday night, November 18, 2025. Devin Booker led the charge with 19 points, but it was the bench explosion — especially from Collin Gillespie, who also dropped 19 — that turned a tight game into a blowout. The Suns, coming off a heartbreaking 124-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks just two nights prior, responded with the kind of disciplined, high-energy basketball that defined their early-season surge. And for Portland? It was another painful chapter in a collapsing season.
A Second-Half Implosion for Portland
The first half was a chess match. The Blazers, missing key players including Jrue Holiday, hung tough despite shooting just 38% from the field. Dillon Brooks, who finished with 12 points and four assists, hit a milestone in the first half — his 1,000th career assist — but it wasn’t enough to offset Portland’s growing chaos. At halftime, it was 64-61, a razor-thin lead for Phoenix. Fans in Portland dared to hope. Then came the third quarter.And that’s when the game unraveled.
Ryan Dunn, the 7-footer from China and 16th overall pick in this year’s draft, threw down a thunderous dunk that sparked a 16-2 run. The Suns didn’t just score — they forced turnovers, blocked shots, and hit threes from the corners. According to CBS Sports, Portland made just 10 of 41 three-point attempts (24.4%), a brutal efficiency that echoed their season-long struggles. Analysts on Uprise’s postgame show called it “super ugly” — a perfect description of a team that used to rank second in offensive rebounds but now sits third from the bottom in defensive boards.
Defensive Identity? Gone
The numbers don’t lie. Portland’s defense, once built on pressure and chaos, has become a liability. “The defensive identity was pressure, but now we’re not forcing turnovers,” said one Uprise commentator. “We’re falling off a cliff.”Without Holiday, their primary ball-handler and perimeter stopper, the Blazers’ ball security collapsed. They committed 18 turnovers — 11 in the second half alone. Phoenix turned those into 23 points. The Suns, meanwhile, moved the ball with precision, assisted on 32 of their 47 made field goals. Coach Jordan Ott wisely rested Booker in the fourth quarter, letting his bench close it out. That’s the mark of a confident team.
And yet, the Blazers’ collapse isn’t just about injuries. It’s about momentum. They were favored in their last two games — including a road loss to Dallas, a team that’s been among the league’s worst. Now, they’re 2-6 in their last eight. The early-season optimism? Fading fast.
Phoenix’s Momentum Returns
For the Suns, this win was about more than just points. It was about resetting after a demoralizing loss to Atlanta — a game where they blew a 22-point lead in the final quarter, snapping a five-game winning streak. Tuesday night’s performance was a statement: they’re still contenders.Booker, who’s averaging 24.6 points this season, showed why he’s still the engine. But it was the depth that impressed. Gillespie, a former Villanova guard, has quietly become one of the NBA’s most efficient bench scorers. He shot 7-of-11 from the field, including three threes. Meanwhile, Dunn, the Chinese center, finished with nine points and five rebounds — not flashy, but critical in a game where Portland’s interior defense was porous.
The Suns’ record improves to 11-5. They’re now 7-1 at home this season. And with Minnesota Timberwolves coming to Phoenix on Friday, November 21, 2025, they’re looking like one of the West’s most dangerous teams.
What’s Next? A Tale of Two Teams
Portland’s schedule doesn’t get easier. They host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, November 19, 2025. Scores24’s analysts still predict a Blazers win — by 3.5 points — citing home-court advantage and Phoenix’s recent fatigue. But that prediction feels increasingly like wishful thinking. The Blazers haven’t beaten a .500-or-better team since October.For Phoenix? This win reestablishes their identity: balanced scoring, elite ball movement, and defensive discipline. They’re not just surviving — they’re thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Devin Booker’s performance compare to his recent games?
Booker’s 19 points were below his season average of 24.6, but that’s because coach Jordan Ott pulled him in the fourth quarter — a sign the game was well in hand. Over his last five games, Booker has averaged 26.8 points, including three 30+ point performances. This was a controlled, efficient night — not a slump, but a strategic rest ahead of a tough stretch against Minnesota and Golden State.
Why is Portland’s defense collapsing despite strong rebounding numbers?
Portland still ranks second in offensive rebounds, but their defensive rebounding has plummeted to 27th in the league. That’s because they’re not contesting shots — they’re gambling on steals and getting burned on transition. Without Jrue Holiday to anchor the backcourt, their rotations are slow, and opponents are hitting open threes at will. The team’s defensive rating has dropped from 109.2 to 117.4 over the last six games.
What role did Collin Gillespie play in the Suns’ victory?
Gillespie was the spark plug off the bench. His 19 points came on 7-of-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and he added four assists with zero turnovers. He’s now averaging 15.2 points per game in November — up from 8.9 in October. His ability to run the offense and knock down open shots has turned him into one of the league’s most valuable reserves, especially with Chris Paul still managing minutes after injury.
How significant is Ryan Dunn’s emergence for Phoenix?
Dunn’s nine points and five rebounds might seem modest, but his impact goes beyond the box score. He altered three shots in the paint, forced Portland to drive less, and hit a crucial corner three in the third quarter that broke their momentum. As the first Chinese-born player to start for the Suns, his presence also signals a shift in Phoenix’s scouting — they’re targeting international bigs with defensive IQ, not just size.
What does this loss mean for Portland’s playoff chances?
Slim to none. At 4-10, Portland is 9.5 games behind the eighth seed in the West. Even with home-court advantage, they’re unlikely to climb out of the bottom three. Their remaining schedule includes six games against teams with winning records — and they’ve lost five of their last six road games. Unless they trade for a veteran point guard before the deadline, their season is likely headed toward a top-five draft pick.
Is there historical context to this Suns-Blazers matchup?
Yes. The two teams have played 51 times since 2000, with Phoenix holding a narrow 27-24 edge — but only five of those games were decided by five points or fewer. The last meeting, on February 4, 2025, ended 121-119 in Phoenix. This win extends the Suns’ dominance in recent years: they’ve won 8 of the last 10 matchups, including all three this season. Portland hasn’t beaten Phoenix in Phoenix since 2022.
