Game Details
- Date & Time: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT)
- Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
- Broadcast: AZ Family Sports (Phoenix), Root Sports NW (Portland), NBA League Pass (streaming)
- Teams’ Records (as of Nov. 18): Phoenix Suns (8-6, 3rd in Pacific Division) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (4-10, 5th in Northwest Division)
- Series History (2025 Season): First meeting; Suns lead all-time 102-62, including a 4-0 sweep in 2024-25 regular season.
The Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night in a Pacific-Northwest crossover that contrasts a Suns team building momentum with a Blazers squad searching for identity. Phoenix, fresh off a 3-1 road trip, aims to extend its home dominance, while Portland looks to end a four-game losing streak amid rebuild efforts. This matchup features two teams emphasizing pace and perimeter shooting, but with Phoenix’s star power facing Portland’s youth movement in a potential track meet at Footprint Center.
Team Overviews
Phoenix Suns (8-6) The Suns sit third in the Pacific after a middling start, averaging 114.8 points per game (12th in NBA) under coach Mike Budenholzer’s balanced system. Their offense thrives on three-point volume (37.2 attempts per game, 8th), but defensive rebounding (42.1 per game, 24th) has led to second-chance opportunities for opponents. The Suns rank 9th in net rating (+3.2) at home, where they’ve gone 5-2, forcing 14.8 turnovers per game.
Key contributors in the 2025 season:
- Devin Booker (SG): 28.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 4.2 RPG in 14 games. Shooting 48.2% from the field and 39.1% from three, Booker’s mid-range game (52.3%) remains elite, though his usage (34.1%) has drawn double-teams.
- Bradley Beal (PG/SG): 22.1 PPG and 5.2 APG, with 41.8% from three on 7.4 attempts. His playmaking has improved (assists up 1.2 from last year), but defensive lapses (1.1 steals) persist.
- Kevin Durant (SF/PF): 26.8 PPG and 6.7 RPG, anchoring a defense that’s held opponents to 44.8% shooting (11th). At 37, Durant’s efficiency (50.6% FG) shines, but minutes (32.4) are managed carefully.
- Jusuf Nurkić (C): 11.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG off the bench, with 1.4 BPG. His screen-setting has boosted transition points (14.2 per game, 6th).
Recent form: Phoenix topped the Clippers 112-108 on Nov. 15, with Booker scoring 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting. Their home net rating (+5.1) highlights efficiency in half-court sets.
Portland Trail Blazers (4-10) The Blazers languish in fifth place in the Northwest, scoring 109.4 points per game (24th) but surrendering 115.2 (20th) in Chauncey Billups’ development-focused system. Their youth shines in rebounding (45.6 per game, 7th), but perimeter defense (38.4% opponent three-point shooting, 26th) and turnovers (14.9 per game) hinder progress. Road woes (1-6 record) include averaging just 102.3 points away.
Key contributors in the 2025 season:
- Scoot Henderson (PG): 18.6 PPG and 5.8 APG as a starter, with 3.4 APG in the last five. His speed generates 12.1 fast-break points (team-high), but shooting (42.1% FG) needs consistency.
- Anfernee Simons (SG): 24.2 PPG and 4.9 APG, leading the league in three-point attempts (10.2 per game) at 36.8%. Simons’ scoring bursts (30+ in 3 games) power the offense, but defense (0.9 steals) lags.
- Deandre Ayton (C): 16.4 PPG and 11.2 RPG, with 1.1 BPG. His paint presence (54.2% FG) helps, but foul trouble (3.4 per game) limits impact.
- Jerami Grant (SF/PF): 20.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG, shooting 47.6% from the field. Grant’s versatility (1.8 steals) aids transition, but he’s missed 4 games with a hamstring tweak.
Recent form: Portland fell 118-105 to the Nuggets on Nov. 16, with Simons netting 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Their road offense dips to 102.3 PPG, exposing defensive gaps.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Booker vs. Simons (Shooting Guard Battle): Booker’s efficiency (48.2% FG) challenges Simons’ volume (10.2 3PA). Portland’s backcourt pressure could force turnovers, but Phoenix’s pace (99.8 possessions, 10th) favors Book’s rhythm.
- Durant vs. Grant (Forward Duel): Durant’s scoring touch (26.8 PPG) tests Grant’s length (1.8 steals), while Ayton’s rebounding edge (11.2 vs. 4.2) could control the glass.
- Beal vs. Henderson (Playmaking): Beal’s vision (5.2 APG) meets Henderson’s speed (18.6 PPG), with Portland’s youth potentially exploiting Phoenix’s slower guards (1.2 steals per game).
- Bench Units: Suns’ reserves average 38.4 PPG (15th); Blazers’ 35.2 (25th). Nurkić’s screens vs. Portland’s second unit could open driving lanes.
Statistical Trends (2025 Season)
- Offense: Suns 12th in PPG (114.8) and 8th in 3PA (37.2); Blazers 24th in PPG (109.4) but 7th in RPG (45.6).
- Defense: Both mid-pack—Suns 11th in opponent FG% (44.8), Blazers 20th in points allowed (115.2). Phoenix forces 14.8 turnovers (9th); Portland allows 37.8% from three (24th).
- Pace & Rebounding: Projected pace 100.2; Suns 24th in rebounds (42.1), Blazers 7th (45.6)—boards will be contested.
- Head-to-Head: Last 5 meetings averaged 218.4 points; Suns win by 7.6 at home.
Injury Report (as of Nov. 18)
- Suns: No major injuries; full rotation expected.
- Blazers: Jerami Grant (questionable, hamstring—limited practice). Deni Avdija (probable, ankle). Youth-heavy lineup if Grant sits.
Tip-off is 10:00 p.m. ET—tune in for a clash of styles where perimeter prowess meets rebounding grit.
