Suns Crush Trail Blazers 127-110 Behind Booker and Gillespie in Portland

Suns Crush Trail Blazers 127-110 Behind Booker and Gillespie in Portland

The Phoenix Suns didn’t just beat the Portland Trail Blazers — they dismantled them. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the Suns rolled to a 127-110 victory, turning what looked like a competitive matchup into a statement win. The turning point? A brutal 36-21 third-quarter explosion that left the Blazers gasping. Devin Booker led the charge with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Collin Gillespie added another 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including four threes. For Portland, Shaedon Sharpe fought hard with a game-high 29 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

The Third Quarter Collapse

Here’s the thing: the game was tied at 58-58 at halftime. Both teams had traded blows, and Portland looked like they might finally snap a two-game skid. But then came the third quarter — and everything changed. The Suns didn’t just outscore the Blazers; they outclassed them. Phoenix Suns went on a 15-2 run midway through the period, fueled by back-to-back dunks from Oso Ighodaro and Jalen Goodwin. Goodwin’s 23-foot stepback three with five seconds left in the quarter — assisted by Gillespie — sent the Suns into the final frame up by 15. The Blazers? They scored just 21 points. That’s 15 fewer than their first-half total. It wasn’t a slump. It was a freefall.

Who Carried the Load

Booker wasn’t just efficient — he was surgical. His three steals came from reading Portland’s passing lanes, and his mid-range game was unstoppable. But the real surprise? Gillespie. The veteran point guard, often overlooked in star-driven narratives, was the engine. He didn’t just shoot — he orchestrated. His four threes came from different spots on the floor, each one coming at the worst possible time for Portland. And when the Blazers tried to close the gap in the fourth, Gillespie answered again: a 25-foot three at 11:44 that made it 107-88. That shot wasn’t just a bucket — it was a psychological dagger.

Meanwhile, Portland’s offense looked disjointed. Sharpe carried the scoring load, but his 29 points came on 11-of-28 shooting. Deni Avdija added 17 points and 8 assists, but his three-pointer with 49 seconds left in the second quarter was one of the few bright spots. The rest? Missed assignments, lazy rotations, and too many isolation plays that went nowhere. Even when they got good looks — like Yasin Hansen’s cutting dunk or Moses Williams’ driving layup — they couldn’t sustain anything.

The Bigger Picture: Standings and Streaks

This win improved the Phoenix Suns to 9-6 on the season, giving them a .600 winning percentage and a one-game winning streak. They’re now two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers (11-4) in the Pacific Division and 4.5 games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (14-1). For the Portland Trail Blazers, it’s a third straight loss, dropping them to 6-8 (.429). They’re now 7.5 games out of first in the Northwest Division — a chasm that’s growing faster than their fans would like.

It’s not just the record. It’s the momentum. The Suns are playing with confidence. Their bench, led by Desmond Brooks and Risacher Dunn, outscored Portland’s reserves 34-21. That depth matters in a long season. Portland? They’re starting to look like a team waiting for something to click — and it hasn’t yet.

What Happened to Portland’s Defense?

What Happened to Portland’s Defense?

Oddly enough, Portland’s defense wasn’t just bad — it was forgettable. They let the Suns shoot 51% from the field and 47% from three. They allowed 127 points — their highest total of the season. And they didn’t force a single turnover in the third quarter. That’s not a coincidence. The Suns moved the ball with purpose: 31 assists on 45 made field goals. That’s elite ball movement. Meanwhile, Portland’s rotations were slow, their help defense nonexistent. When Oso Ighodaro cut to the basket unguarded for a dunk, no one even looked his way. That’s coaching. That’s communication. Neither was there.

What’s Next?

The Suns head home for a matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, hoping to extend their winning streak to two. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, travel to Utah on Thursday — a game they desperately need to win just to avoid falling to 6-9. With the Thunder, Nuggets, and Timberwolves all surging, Portland’s playoff hopes are slipping. And unless they fix their defensive identity — fast — they’ll be watching the postseason from home again.

Game Highlights in Context

Game Highlights in Context

The NBA’s official YouTube highlights video, published on November 19, 2025, captured the full 17-minute, 36-second spectacle. It showed every key moment: Gillespie’s threes, Booker’s steals, Sharpe’s isolated fadeaways. But what it didn’t show — because it couldn’t — was the quiet frustration in Portland’s locker room after the final buzzer. One anonymous assistant coach told reporters, "We knew they’d come out strong. We just didn’t think they’d come out like this."

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Devin Booker’s performance compare to his season average?

Booker’s 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals were slightly below his season average of 22.4 points and 4.8 assists, but his efficiency (8-of-15 FG, 3-of-5 from three) and defensive impact were elite. His 3 steals tied his season high, and his ability to control the tempo in the second half was critical. He’s not just scoring — he’s dictating the game.

Why did the Trail Blazers collapse in the third quarter?

Portland’s offense stalled as Phoenix switched to a zone defense, forcing them into contested mid-range shots. They went 3-of-14 from the field in the third, with only two assists total. Their bench failed to provide energy, and their starters — especially Avdija and Sharpe — looked fatigued. Meanwhile, the Suns’ depth and pace overwhelmed them. The 36-21 scoring gap wasn’t luck — it was execution vs. exhaustion.

What does this loss mean for Portland’s playoff chances?

With a 6-8 record and a three-game losing streak, Portland is now in danger of falling out of the Western Conference’s top 10. Only the top 8 make the playoffs, and they’re currently 11th in the West. They need to win at least 7 of their next 10 just to stay in contention. At this pace, they’re more likely to be sellers at the trade deadline than contenders.

How does this win affect the Suns’ division standings?

The victory moves the Suns to 9-6, putting them in a three-way tie for second in the Pacific Division with the Warriors and Clippers — though they hold the tiebreaker over LA due to head-to-head results. They’re now just two games behind the Lakers, and with a favorable schedule ahead, they could climb into first by mid-December. Their 127-point outburst was the highest scoring game in the league this season.

Was this game a sign of things to come for the Suns?

Absolutely. This wasn’t just a win — it was a blueprint. Booker’s leadership, Gillespie’s shooting, and the bench’s energy all aligned. If they can maintain this level of defensive intensity and ball movement, they’re a legitimate Western Conference threat. The Lakers may lead the division, but the Suns are the team that looks like they’re peaking at the right time.

Who were the key role players for Phoenix in this game?

Beyond Booker and Gillespie, Oso Ighodaro (12 points, 4 assists) and Desmond Brooks (11 points, 3 steals) were vital. Ighodaro’s cutting ability created space, while Brooks’ energy on defense sparked the third-quarter run. Even Risacher Dunn, who had just 7 points, dished out 8 assists and was the glue in the second half. This was a team win — not a star show.