The Phoenix Suns didn’t just win—they overwhelmed. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, they rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110, turning a depleted roster into a liability the Blazers couldn’t overcome. The win improved Phoenix to 8-6, while Portland dropped to 6-7. But the real story wasn’t the score—it was who wasn’t on the court. The official NBA Injury Report , updated at 8:30 PM Eastern Time that night, confirmed what fans feared: Grayson Allen, the Suns’ sharpshooting guard, was OUT with a right quadriceps contusion. So was Jrue Holiday, Portland’s defensive anchor, sidelined with right calf soreness. And that was just the beginning.
When the Bench Became the Starting Five
The Trail Blazers entered the game missing five key rotation players. Jrue Holiday was out with a calf issue that’s been lingering since early November. Scoot Henderson, their electric young point guard, had been out since October 21 with a torn left hamstring—no timetable, no hope. Then came Blake Wesley, sidelined since November 3 with a right foot injury. Matisse Thybulle, the league’s premier perimeter defender, was still recovering from thumb surgery. And then there was Jerami Grant, who didn’t even make the trip—absent due to illness, as confirmed by AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in The Columbian. Five starters gone. Five. The Blazers were down to their third-stringers.Phoenix’s Absences Were Less Severe—But Still Significant
The Suns weren’t exactly healthy. Grayson Allen was ruled OUT with a right quadriceps contusion, a nagging injury that had kept him hobbled in practice all week. TeamRankings.com had flagged him as "QUESTIONABLE" just hours before tip-off. Then there was Jalen Green—yes, that Jalen Green—out with a right hamstring strain, ruled out since November 11. He’s not the Rockets’ Jalen Green; this one’s a rookie guard who signed a two-way deal with Phoenix in the offseason. Still, his absence meant less depth off the bench. And Koby Brea, a two-way player, was in the G League. Not ideal, but manageable.Here’s the twist: the Suns didn’t need their missing pieces. Devin Booker was surgical—28 points, 7 assists, and a calm command that turned the second half into a clinic. Dillon Brooks, usually the agitator, added 17 points and 5 rebounds, hitting key shots when Portland tried to cut the lead. The Blazers, meanwhile, were scrambling. Shaedon Sharpe, upgraded to QUESTIONABLE on game day, played—but was visibly limited, finishing with just 8 points on 4-of-11 shooting. He was the only Portland starter who showed up.
Second-Half Collapse: A Tale of Two Teams
Portland led 49-42 at halftime. They were fighting. They had energy. Then the second half happened.Phoenix outscored them 85-61 over the final 24 minutes. The Blazers’ defense evaporated. Their ball movement stalled. They missed 14 of their first 18 three-pointers after the break. Meanwhile, the Suns moved the ball like a well-oiled machine. Collin Gillespie, the backup point guard, dished out 9 assists—his highest total of the season. The crowd, once raucous, grew silent by the third quarter. By the fourth, fans were leaving early.
"They had no answers," said one longtime Blazers fan, still in his jersey, as he exited the arena. "We didn’t just lose. We got outworked by a team missing two of its best shooters. That’s not a bad night. That’s a bad season."
What’s Next? A Minefield of Injuries
The Suns’ next game is Friday, November 21, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Grayson Allen’s status remains uncertain. His quad contusion is improving, but not enough for a back-to-back. If he’s out, Phoenix will lean even harder on Booker and Kevin Durant, who’s quietly averaging 26.4 points per game since returning from his own minor knee tweak.For Portland, Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors looms large. Shaedon Sharpe is listed as QUESTIONABLE—his calf still tight. If he sits, the Blazers will have just seven healthy rotation players. They’ve lost four of their last five. Their playoff hopes are slipping. General Manager Neil Olshey is reportedly evaluating trade options, but with a depleted roster and no cap space, options are slim.
The Bigger Picture: The NBA’s Injury Epidemic
This isn’t an isolated case. The NBA has seen a 23% increase in hamstring and calf injuries this season compared to last year, according to data from the NBA’s Sports Science Institute. Teams are playing more back-to-backs, more games in less time. Players are fatigued. Recovery time is shrinking. And the league? Still no official policy on load management."We’re seeing more soft-tissue injuries because athletes are being asked to do more with less," said Dr. Lisa Chen, a sports medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic. "The modern NBA schedule is brutal. Teams are managing injuries reactively, not proactively. That’s going to cost them—on the court, and in the standings."
For the Suns, this win was a statement. For the Blazers, it was a warning. Both teams are now staring at a brutal December schedule. One has depth. The other has desperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Grayson Allen’s absence impact the Suns’ offense?
Grayson Allen’s absence meant the Suns lost their most reliable off-ball shooter, averaging 12.3 points per game on 42% three-point shooting. Without him, the offense had to rely more on isolation plays from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. While they still scored efficiently, their spacing suffered, and opponents were able to collapse on drives more easily. Phoenix’s three-point percentage dropped from 39.8% to 33.1% in games without Allen this season.
Why is Jrue Holiday’s injury so damaging for Portland?
Jrue Holiday isn’t just a scorer—he’s Portland’s defensive engine and primary playmaker. He’s the only Blazer who can consistently guard elite point guards and create his own shot under pressure. Without him, the team’s perimeter defense collapsed, allowing Phoenix to shoot 48% from the field. His absence also disrupted the team’s half-court rhythm, leading to 21 turnovers in the second half alone.
What’s the timeline for Scoot Henderson’s return?
Scoot Henderson is out indefinitely with a left hamstring tear, a severe injury that typically takes 8–12 weeks to heal. He last played on October 21, meaning he’s already missed 29 games. Even if he returns by mid-January, he’ll need weeks of conditioning before regaining game shape. Portland’s entire future hinges on his development, making this a critical setback.
Is Shaedon Sharpe likely to play against the Warriors?
Shaedon Sharpe is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Friday’s game against Golden State due to lingering calf soreness. He played 28 minutes against Phoenix but was clearly limited, taking only 11 shots. The Blazers are prioritizing caution—he’s their most explosive scorer. If he sits, the team will likely turn to rookie Jalen Williams or trade deadline pickup Jalen Suggs to fill the void.
How does this affect Portland’s playoff chances?
Portland is now 6-7 and 3.5 games behind the 8th-seeded Warriors in the Western Conference. With five key players out and no clear path to healthy rotation depth, their playoff odds have dropped from 38% to 12% according to FiveThirtyEight’s model. They need a winning streak of at least five games just to stay relevant—and they’re not built for that right now.
What’s the Suns’ injury outlook for the rest of the season?
The Suns are in better shape. Grayson Allen’s quad contusion is mild and should heal within 7–10 days. Jalen Green’s hamstring strain is more serious, but he’s a two-way player, so his absence is less critical. The real concern is Kevin Durant’s knee, which flared up during the game. If it flares again, Phoenix’s title hopes could be in jeopardy. For now, they’re managing well—but the schedule doesn’t ease up until January.
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