Suns rout Blazers 127-110 as Booker rests, Portland struggles from deep

The Phoenix Suns delivered a commanding performance on the road, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After blowing a 22-point lead against Atlanta just two nights prior, Phoenix came out with purpose, turning a tight first half into a decisive blowout in the third quarter. Coach Jordan Ott didn’t just want to win; he wanted to send a message about discipline, depth, and durability.

Third Quarter Breakthrough Seals the Deal

The game was tied at 58-58 at halftime, but everything changed in the third. With Devin Booker still on the floor, the Suns unleashed a 22-5 run. The spark? A thunderous dunk by rookie Ryan Dunn that sent the sparse home crowd into stunned silence. By the end of the period, Phoenix led 80-63. The Blazers, already shorthanded, looked drained—both physically and mentally.

Portland’s shooting woes were the story. They went 10-for-41 from three-point range (24.4%), their worst performance of the season. When your best shooter, Shaedon Sharpe, drops 29 points but the rest of the team goes 9-for-37 from deep, you’re not just losing—you’re being outcoached and out-executed. The Suns, meanwhile, shot 41% from beyond the arc, with Collin Gillespie hitting four threes off the bench for his 19 points.

Booker’s Rest and Brooks’ Milestone

With the game out of reach, Devin Booker sat the entire fourth quarter—a rare luxury for a 28-year-old All-Star. He finished with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, efficient but not explosive. That’s the luxury of having depth. Gillespie, a 25-year-old journeyman acquired last offseason, played 32 minutes and was the unsung hero. So was Dillon Brooks, who notched 12 points and four assists, but more importantly, recorded his 1,000th career assist in the first half. The moment passed quietly—no fanfare, no video tribute—but it’s a quiet milestone for a player often remembered for his defense and grit.

Blazers’ Injury Woes Deepen

Portland was already missing Jrue Holiday for the second straight game due to calf soreness. Then came word that power forward Jerami Grant was out with illness. Without those two, the Blazers’ perimeter defense collapsed. Their bench scored just 28 points compared to Phoenix’s 54. The team’s record fell to 6-8, extending their losing streak to three games and dropping them to 7.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who sit at a league-best 14-1.

It’s not just the losses. It’s the pattern. Portland has lost five of their last six. Their offense stagnates. Their defense is porous. And their three-point shooting? A liability. They’ve now shot under 25% from deep in four of their last seven games. Fans are starting to ask: Is this a bad stretch—or a sign of deeper dysfunction?

Standings Shift and What’s Next

The Suns’ win improved them to 9-6, tied with the Golden State Warriors for fifth in the Western Conference. They trail the Los Angeles Lakers by two games but have a better winning percentage than the Clippers, Kings, and even the Nuggets. Their next game? Friday, November 21, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix against the Minnesota Timberwolves—a tough matchup, but one they’ll enter as confident favorites.

As for Portland? They host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, November 19, still searching for their first win in five tries. The Moda Center, with its 19,393-seat capacity, felt emptier than usual Tuesday night. The energy was gone. The hope? Fading.

Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just about two teams playing basketball. It was about trajectory. The Suns are building something sustainable—depth, balance, coaching discipline. They’re not relying on one superstar to carry them. They’re playing as a unit, and when Booker sits, someone else steps up. That’s championship DNA.

Portland, meanwhile, is stuck. Their core is young but inconsistent. Their roster is expensive but underperforming. And their identity? Still undefined. They have talent—Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson—but no clear direction. The front office might be tempted to make a trade before the deadline. But with injuries piling up and confidence evaporating, it’s hard to see what they’d even get in return.

One thing’s clear: The Suns aren’t just back. They’re serious. And the Trail Blazers? They’re running out of time to figure it out.