Suns Outlast Trail Blazers 127-110 as Booker and Gillespie Shine in Portland
Nov, 20 2025
The Phoenix Suns pulled away in the second half to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. It wasn’t a blowout from the start — the Blazers kept it close through three quarters — but the Suns’ balanced attack and defensive intensity in the final period turned the game into a statement win. For Devin Armani Booker, it was another steady performance: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. But the real surprise? Collin Michael Gillespie, the undersized point guard who’s quietly becoming the Suns’ secret weapon, matched Booker’s scoring with 19 of his own on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep. Meanwhile, Shaedon Robert Sharpe fought hard for Portland, dropping a team-high 29 points, but it wasn’t enough. The Blazers, now 6-8, are slipping further out of playoff contention. The Suns? They’re 9-6 and climbing.
A Game of Momentum, Not Miracles
The first half was a back-and-forth slugfest. Portland led by 8 at one point in the second quarter, fueled by Sharpe’s hot hand and a surprise spark from rookie guard Jalen Lecque. But the Suns didn’t panic. They slowed the pace. They moved the ball. They forced turnovers — 14 in total — and turned them into fast-break points. By halftime, it was tied at 61. The real difference came in the third. The Suns opened the quarter on a 14-3 run, sparked by back-to-back threes from Gillespie and a steal-and-dunk from Booker. The Moda Center, usually loud and rowdy, went silent. Fans started leaving early. It wasn’t just the score — it was the energy. The Suns looked like a team that knew what they were doing. The Blazers looked lost.
No Injuries, No Excuses
Here’s the twist: neither team had a single player listed as injured for their next two games. The official NBA injury report, published November 20, 2025, at 7:30 AM ET, showed no designations — Out, Doubtful, or Questionable — for either the Suns or Trail Blazers. Not one. That means both teams entered the November 19 game at full strength. No excuses. No roster shuffling. The Blazers lost because they couldn’t stop the Suns’ flow. The Suns won because they executed under pressure. And while the Clippers were dealing with a full-blown injury crisis — Beal, Leonard, Jones Jr., and even Trae Young sidelined — Phoenix and Portland were both healthy. That makes the outcome even more telling. This wasn’t about who was missing. It was about who showed up.
What This Means for the West
The Western Conference is a mess. Eight teams are within two games of each other at the top. The Suns’ win moves them into the top six, just behind the Nuggets and Kings. But here’s the thing — they’re not just winning. They’re winning with discipline. Booker, now in his ninth season, is playing smarter. Gillespie, a second-year player out of Villanova, is thriving in a bigger role. And head coach James Jones is finally getting the most out of his bench. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers, under Joe Cronin, are stuck in transition. Sharpe is a scoring machine, but who’s running the offense? Who’s defending the pick-and-roll? The answers aren’t clear. Portland’s offense is too reliant on isolation plays. Their defense ranks 24th in the league. And they’ve lost four of their last five. The good news? They still have time. The bad news? Time is running out.
What’s Next?
The Suns head home to Phoenix for a back-to-back against the Jazz on Friday and the Spurs on Saturday. They’re 5-1 at home this season. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks — a team that just beat the Lakers by 28. It’s a tough spot. And with no injuries to hide behind, every loss feels like a missed opportunity. The NBA season is only 15 games in, but the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The Suns aren’t just hoping to make it — they’re building something. The Blazers? They’re still searching for an identity.
The Bigger Picture
The NBA was founded in 1946. Since then, we’ve seen dynasties rise and fall. But rarely do we see a team like the Suns — young, deep, and unselfish — quietly emerge as a contender without the fanfare of a superstar trade. Booker isn’t averaging 30. Gillespie isn’t a lottery pick. They’re just playing the game the right way. Meanwhile, Portland’s front office is under pressure. They traded away their future for short-term wins. Now, with no draft picks until 2029, they’re stuck. No cap space. No prospects. Just Sharpe, trying to carry a team that doesn’t know how to win together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Devin Booker’s performance compare to his season average?
Booker’s 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists against Portland were slightly below his season average of 22.4 points and 5.8 assists, but his efficiency (8-of-16 FG, 3-of-6 from three) was solid. More importantly, his defensive impact — 3 steals and multiple key stops in the fourth quarter — elevated his game beyond scoring. He’s becoming the glue guy the Suns need.
Why is Collin Gillespie’s role so important for the Suns?
Gillespie isn’t a star, but he’s the perfect complement to Booker. He’s a 6’1” point guard who shoots 44% from three and rarely turns the ball over. Against Portland, he played 34 minutes, controlled the tempo, and hit clutch threes when the Blazers collapsed on Booker. His presence allows Booker to play off-ball, which makes Phoenix’s offense nearly impossible to defend.
What does the absence of injuries mean for the Trail Blazers’ future?
It means there’s no external excuse for their struggles. With no injuries, Portland’s 6-8 record is entirely on execution. They’re not missing key players — they’re missing structure. Without a true point guard or defensive anchor, their reliance on Sharpe and Anfernee Simons is unsustainable. If they don’t fix their system soon, they risk missing the playoffs for the third straight year.
How does the NBA’s injury reporting system work?
Teams must submit official injury reports 90 minutes before tip-off, updated daily by 7:00 AM ET. The NBA CMS is the only authoritative source — third-party sites like Covers.com merely republish the same data. The report lists players as Out, Doubtful, Questionable, or Available. The fact that neither the Suns nor Trail Blazers had any designations on November 20 confirms full availability for their next games — and removes any excuse for poor play.
Could the Suns make a deep playoff run this season?
Absolutely. With Booker healthy, Gillespie stepping up, and a deep bench featuring Jusuf Nurkić and Grayson Allen, the Suns have the depth to survive a seven-game series. Their defense has improved by 5.2 points per 100 possessions since October. If they stay consistent and avoid injuries — which they have so far — they’re a legitimate Western Conference final contender.
What’s the biggest concern for the Trail Blazers moving forward?
Their lack of a true playmaker. Sharpe is a scorer, not a facilitator. Anfernee Simons is inconsistent. And their bench has zero floor generals. Without someone to create for others, they’ll keep relying on isolation basketball — which is unsustainable against elite defenses. They need a trade, a draft pick, or a coaching adjustment — and fast.