Suns Bounce Back From 22-Point Collapse to Beat Trail Blazers After Hawks Heartbreaker
Just two days after watching a 22-point lead vanish in the fourth quarter, the Phoenix Suns showed grit, not grief, with a 127-110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After the gut-punch loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 16, where they blew the largest fourth-quarter comeback of the 2025-26 NBA season, Phoenix didn’t fold. They flipped the script. And it started with their captain.
The Collapse That Shook Phoenix
On Sunday, November 16, the Suns led the Hawks 103-81 with 9:50 left in the fourth quarter. It felt like a cruise to victory. Then, everything unraveled. Jalen Jamal Johnson turned into a human highlight reel: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists. Onyeka Lucky Okongwu dominated the paint with 27 points. Nickeil Armani Alexander-Walker hit clutch threes like they were layups. By the final buzzer, Atlanta had completed a 43-point swing—the second-largest comeback in franchise history, and the biggest of the season. The Suns’ four-game win streak? Gone. Their confidence? Shaken.For Devin Armani Booker, the loss was personal. He dropped 27 points, but it wasn’t enough. Dillon Brooks added 34, his first back-to-back 30-point games ever. Still, the scoreboard didn’t lie. Phoenix fell 124-122. Fans in Phoenix were stunned. Analysts questioned their mental toughness. Even coach Frank Joseph Vogel, known for his calm demeanor, looked drained after the game.
The Response in Portland
Two days later, in a chilly Moda Center, the Suns didn’t try to fix everything. They just played. Booker, quiet after the Hawks game, came out with purpose: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals. But the real surprise? Collin Ryan Gillespie. The 26-year-old point guard, often overlooked, went 6-of-11 from the field—including 4-of-9 from deep—and dished out 6 assists. He didn’t just play well. He played like he belonged.Shaedon Jerome Sharpe, Portland’s 21-year-old Canadian shooting guard, dropped a team-high 29 points, but the Blazers’ defense couldn’t contain Phoenix’s ball movement. The Suns shot 51% from the field and dished out 28 assists—evidence of a team rediscovering its rhythm. They outscored Portland 35-22 in the third quarter, turning a 58-55 lead into a 93-77 advantage. The crowd in Portland, once raucous, fell silent as the lead ballooned to 20.
A Team That Refuses to Quit
This wasn’t just about rebounding from a loss. It was about proving they could handle pressure. Earlier in the week, on November 12, Grayson Brent Allen set a Suns franchise record with 10 three-pointers against the Pelicans. But that was a different kind of win—fluky, explosive. This win? It was steady. It was disciplined. It was the kind of victory that builds character.Even bench players stepped up. Jordan Demetrius Goodwin scored 12 against Atlanta, and Dylan Michael Brooks added 18 against Dallas. The depth is no longer a rumor—it’s a reality. Frank Vogel’s system, once criticized for being too rigid, is now showing its flexibility. The Suns aren’t just surviving. They’re adapting.
What This Means for the Western Conference
Phoenix’s record improved to 9-6 after the win. Atlanta, now 9-5, is quietly becoming one of the East’s most dangerous teams. But in the West? It’s a war. The Lakers, Nuggets, and Timberwolves are all in the thick of it. The Suns’ ability to respond after a crushing loss could be the difference between a top-4 seed and a play-in tournament.And here’s the twist: the Suns haven’t had a true All-Star-caliber player besides Booker. Yet they’re winning. They’re winning with defense, with ball movement, with resilience. They’re winning because they refuse to let one bad night define them.
What’s Next?
The Suns’ road trip continues on Thursday, November 20, 2025, against an opponent yet to be confirmed. But one thing’s clear: they’re not looking back. After the Hawks game, Vogel told reporters, “We don’t fix mistakes by dwelling on them. We fix them by showing up the next night.”They showed up. And they didn’t just show up—they dominated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant was the Hawks’ 22-point comeback in NBA history?
The Atlanta Hawks’ 43-point fourth-quarter turnaround on November 16, 2025, was the largest comeback of the 2025-26 NBA season and the second-largest in franchise history—only behind their 26-point rally against Cleveland in 2017. It’s the 12th-largest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA history since 1996, and the first time since 2019 that a team erased a 22+ point deficit in the final 10 minutes to win.
Why is Jalen Johnson’s streak considered historic?
Jalen Johnson became only the fourth player in Atlanta Hawks history to record three straight games with 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists—joining legends Dan Roundfield (1982), Cliff Hagan, and Bob Pettit. No Hawk had done it since Roundfield nearly 43 years ago. His all-around game is reshaping how the Hawks use their frontcourt, making him a potential All-Star candidate this season.
How did Collin Gillespie impact the Suns’ win over Portland?
Collin Gillespie, the Suns’ backup point guard, was instrumental in their 127-110 win over Portland. He scored 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4 three-pointers, and added 6 assists. His energy and spacing allowed Booker to operate more freely, and his defense on Damian Lillard’s backup helped contain Portland’s late push. It was his highest-scoring game of the season and a sign of his growing role.
What does this say about Devin Booker’s leadership?
Booker didn’t need to score 30 to lead the Suns against Portland. He posted 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals—efficient, controlled, and composed. After the Hawks loss, he stayed silent in interviews but played with quiet intensity. His ability to shift from scorer to facilitator under pressure shows he’s evolving into a true franchise leader—not just a scorer.
Is Frank Vogel’s coaching style working for the Suns?
Yes. After criticism over his defensive schemes early in the season, Vogel has adapted. The Suns rank in the top 10 in defensive efficiency since November 10. His emphasis on ball movement and role-player trust paid off against Portland. Players like Gillespie and Goodwin are thriving, and Vogel’s calm under pressure helped the team recover from the Hawks’ collapse without panic.
What’s the Suns’ path to the playoffs?
At 9-6, Phoenix is just one game out of the top 6 in the Western Conference. Their next five games include two against playoff-caliber teams. If they maintain their current defensive intensity and keep Booker healthy, they’re a top-4 lock. But consistency is key—they’ve shown they can win big games, but must avoid another fourth-quarter collapse.
Ivy Silverman
I'm Ivy Silverman and I'm passionate about real estate. I like learning about different markets and uncovering the best opportunities for my clients. I'm always looking for ways to make the process of buying and selling a home easier and more enjoyable.