Suns Crush Injury-Plagued Blazers 127-110 as Holiday Out with Calf Soreness
Nov, 21 2025
When Jrue Holiday sat out the November 18, 2025, game against the Phoenix Suns, it wasn’t just another injury report. It was the final nail in the coffin for a Portland Trail Blazers team already on life support. The 34-year-old guard, sidelined by right calf soreness, was the latest casualty in a cascade of absences that turned what should’ve been a competitive matchup into a blowout. The game, played at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, ended 127-110 in favor of the Suns — a result that exposed just how deep Portland’s roster crisis has become.
Blazers’ Injury Avalanche
Portland wasn’t just missing Holiday. They were missing the heart of their offense and defense. Scoot Henderson, the 22-year-old point guard, remained out with a left hamstring tear. Damian Lillard, 35, continued his slow return from a left Achilles injury. Defensive anchor Matisse Thybulle was sidelined with a left thumb ligament tear. And Blake Wesley, another young guard, was still recovering from a right foot fracture. Add to that Jerami Grant’s sudden illness and the absence of depth, and you’ve got a team playing with two healthy starters.
At shootaround, Suns star Devin Booker, 28, sized up the Blazers’ desperation. "All those guys are getting into the teeth of the defense," he said. "They have a lot of attempts at the rim, and they're shooting a lot of 3s. You kind of have to do both with them — help each other on drives and still get a good contest." The irony? Portland’s offense, once sharp, had become a mess of forced shots. They made just 10 of 41 threes (24.4%) — a number that would’ve been laughable in the 2010s, let alone 2025.
Suns Seize the Moment
Phoenix, coming off a gut-wrenching 124-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 16, where they blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead, had every reason to be emotionally drained. Instead, they looked like a team with something to prove. Devin Booker dropped 19 points before sitting out the entire fourth quarter — a sign of confidence in his bench. Collin Gillespie, 26, came off the bench and matched him with 19 points of his own. And then there was Dillon Brooks, 28, who notched his 1,000th career assist in the first half — a quiet milestone in a game full of noise.
The turning point? The third quarter. Portland had cut a 35-32 deficit to 64-61 at halftime after an 8-0 run. But then came the avalanche. The Suns outscored the Blazers 36-21 in the third, turning a two-point game into a 100-82 lead. By the end of the period, Portland’s defense — once one of the league’s most disciplined — looked like a broken door. They allowed 129.2 points per game over their last five outings. On this night, they gave up 127.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Suns, this win wasn’t just about rebounding from a collapse. It was about momentum. As Brendan Mau, a credentialed Suns reporter since 2023, noted, Portland was the last team below .500 on Phoenix’s schedule. After this, 11 of their next 12 games come against playoff-caliber teams. This victory was a psychological reset — a reminder that even when Booker rests, they’ve got depth.
For Portland? It’s a reckoning. Their two brightest lights — Deni Advija, 24, averaging 26 points, and Shaedon Sharpe, 22, with 22.1 points — carried the load. Sharpe led all scorers with 29 points, but even he couldn’t overcome the team’s lack of structure. The Blazers are now 6-8, losers of three straight, and five of their last six. Their defense, which ranked top-10 last season, has collapsed into the bottom five. And with no clear timeline for Lillard or Henderson’s return, the path forward looks murky.
What’s Next?
Phoenix heads home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, November 21, 2025 — a team that just beat them by 18 points in October. This game was a confidence builder, but the real test is coming. Portland, meanwhile, welcomes the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Another win could stabilize them. Another loss? It might be time to start thinking about next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jrue Holiday’s absence impact the Trail Blazers’ defense?
Holiday, a two-time All-Defensive selection, was Portland’s primary perimeter stopper and playmaker in transition. His absence forced younger guards like Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Advija into defensive roles they weren’t built for, leading to mismatches and open threes. Without him, the Blazers’ defensive rating dropped to 122.4 points per 100 possessions — among the worst in the league over the past month.
Why did the Suns dominate the third quarter?
Portland’s bench, already thin, collapsed under pressure. The Suns’ reserves, led by Collin Gillespie and Cam Johnson, exploited Portland’s lack of size and athleticism. Phoenix outrebounded the Blazers 14-5 in the quarter and forced seven turnovers. Their ball movement (14 assists on 18 field goals) overwhelmed Portland’s exhausted defense, which had been playing 10-man rotations since November 10.
Is this the end of Portland’s playoff hopes?
With a 6-8 record and five of their next seven games against teams with winning records, the Blazers are now 5.5 games behind the 8th seed in the West. Even if Lillard returns in December, the team’s defensive collapse and lack of depth make a playoff push unlikely. Front office sources suggest they may begin exploring trade options before the February deadline.
What does this win mean for Devin Booker’s MVP case?
Booker’s efficiency (21.4 PPG, 5.2 APG, 48% shooting) and leadership in close games have made him a dark-horse MVP candidate. This win, after a crushing loss to Atlanta, showed his ability to elevate his team when it matters. He’s now averaging 25.7 points in November — the highest of his career — and his clutch shooting (78% in the final 5 minutes of close games) is elite. The narrative is shifting: he’s not just a scorer anymore, he’s a closer.
How unusual is it for a team to lose five of six games with two 20+ point scorers?
Extremely rare. Since 2010, only six teams have lost five of six games while having two players average 20+ points. All six missed the playoffs. The common thread? Poor defense and lack of role players. Portland’s 129.2 PPG allowed over their last five games is the worst such stretch in franchise history. Their offensive firepower is being drowned by defensive chaos.
When will Damian Lillard return?
Team sources say Lillard is progressing well but remains in the "light basketball activity" phase. No official return date has been set, but a late December or early January return is the most likely scenario. His absence has been the biggest blow — not just for scoring, but for leadership. Without him, Portland’s locker room has lost its anchor.