Booker Scores 19 as Suns Crush Blazers 127-110 in Third-Quarter Surge

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 a tight game into a blowout with a dominant third quarter that left the Blazers reeling. The win snapped a two-game skid and gave Phoenix momentum heading into their next home contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A Third-Quarter Explosion That Broke the Game Open

It wasn’t a slow burn. It was a flamethrower. The Suns, trailing by three at halftime, came out of the locker room with a purpose — and a 36-21 scoring surge in the third quarter that turned a 63-60 deficit into a 96-81 lead. That 15-point swing wasn’t just a run; it was a statement. The Blazers, who had been averaging 121.5 points per game, looked lost. They missed 31 of their 41 three-point attempts (24.4%), a cold streak that turned what should’ve been a competitive game into a one-sided affair.

Coach Jordan Ott, knowing his team had the upper hand, sat star Devin Booker for the entire fourth quarter. Booker, who entered the night averaging 28.4 points, finished with 19 — efficient, controlled, and deliberately conserved. "He’s our engine," Ott said postgame. "We don’t need him to carry 40 minutes when the car’s already running on fumes."

Collin Gillespie and the Bench That Carried the Load

Booker didn’t have to do it all. Not tonight. Collin Gillespie, the 26-year-old guard off the bench, matched Booker’s 19 points with a blend of mid-range poetry and clutch shooting. He hit three threes in the third quarter alone, each one silencing a growing Moda Center crowd. The Suns’ bench outscored Portland’s reserves 48-29 — a margin that’s become a hallmark of their improved depth this season.

And then there was Dillon Brooks. The veteran forward, acquired in a midseason trade, reached a quiet milestone: his 1,000th career assist, delivered with a no-look pass to a cutting Jalen Smith in the second quarter. Brooks, who entered the game averaging 22 points, finished with 12 points and four assists — a reminder that leadership isn’t always about scoring.

Portland’s Shooting Woes and the Cost of Complacency

The Trail Blazers, who had entered the game as 2.5-point favorites, looked like a team running on fumes. Their offense, usually fluid and dynamic, stalled. They shot just 45.3% from the field — below their season average and well under the 46.9% the Suns typically allow. Their three-point drought was historic: 10-for-41. That’s worse than flipping a coin and getting tails 31 times in a row.

"We got caught in the trap," said Blazers guard Shaden Sharp in the postgame locker room. "We thought if we kept firing, something would fall. But the rhythm was gone. The ball didn’t move. We didn’t move."

Portland’s loss extended their losing streak to three games and dropped them to 5-6 in their last 11. Their home record now sits at 3-4, and their season feels increasingly precarious. They’d returned from a brutal 1-4 road trip just two nights before this game — and now, they’re staring at a 2-6 record in their last eight.

Why This Win Matters More Than the Score

This wasn’t just a bounce-back win. It was a reset. Two nights earlier, the Suns had blown a 22-point lead to the Atlanta Hawks in a 124-122 heartbreaker — a game that had fans questioning their mental toughness. That loss had ended a five-game winning streak and exposed cracks in their late-game execution.

Wednesday’s win didn’t erase that. But it answered the questions. The Suns showed poise. They controlled tempo. They trusted their system. And when the Blazers tried to rally in the fourth, the Suns held firm — even with Booker on the bench. That’s the sign of a team growing up.

Statistically, the Suns now own a 3-1 record when they score over 122.2 points — their opponents’ average allowed. They’re 47.4% from the field, matching the Blazers’ defensive average exactly. That’s not luck. That’s execution.

What’s Next? A Crucial Stretch Ahead

Portland heads into Wednesday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls with mounting pressure. Their playoff hopes are slipping. Meanwhile, the Suns — now 9-6 on the season and 3-4 on the road — host the Timberwolves on Friday with a chance to climb into the top six in the Western Conference. Their next three games are all at home. Win two, and they’re in the conversation. Lose two, and the questions return.

For now, Phoenix has the momentum. The defense is tightening. The bench is clicking. And Booker? He’s still the best player on the floor — even when he’s resting.