The Suns are set to take on the Blazers in Portland for the second consecutive game.
Who: Phoenix Suns (25-23) @ Portland Trail Blazers (20-29)
When: 8:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Moda Center — Portland, Oregon
Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns will look for redemption after a disappointing loss to this Blazers squad two nights ago. That game, along with every game that took place that night, took a back seat as the Luka Doncic trade was announced in the 4th quarter as the Suns were getting pummeled.
The trade deadline is looming and distractions surround the Suns as the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga continues. Rumors about Beal’s desire to stay put and Phoenix taking calls on Durant are out there. It’s chaos.
On a more positive note, Devin Booker is just 23 points away from becoming the Phoenix Suns’ all-time leading scorer. Booker scored 37 in the loss on Saturday to position himself to break the record on the road.
- Walter Davis — 15,666 points
- Devin Booker — 15,644 points
ON THE HORIZON OF HISTORY.
Devin Booker is 23 points away from becoming the Phoenix Suns all-time leading scorer! pic.twitter.com/BRYRxt6Ok9
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 2, 2025
The Blazers are entering this game with a surge of confidence. Portland has won seven of its last eight games—including an NBA lead-tying three wins in a row. The Trail Blazers’ 7-1 record over their last eight games is also tied for the best in the NBA over that span.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Jalen Bridges — OUT (G League – Two-Way)
- TyTy Washington Jr. — OUT (G League – Two-Way)
Blazers
- Matisse Thybulle — OUT (R Ankle Sprain)
- Duop Reath — QUESTIONABLE (G League – On Assignment)
- Rayan Rupert — QUESTIONABLE (G League – On Assignment)
- Jabari Walker — QUESTIONABLE (G League – On Assignment)
- Robert Williams III — QUESTIONABLE (R Hand Soreness)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
Youth vs. Stars
The Suns have the star power in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but Portland’s youthful energy and athleticism wore them down at the last meeting. Phoenix was on the second of a back-to-back, but it was still a game the Suns needed to win.
The fact is, the Suns dynamic duo will need some help. The role players have to hit shots and the team defense needs to lock in. They looked to be getting on track the night before in San Fransico but fell back into old habits the next night.
Bradley Beal is due for a big game. Let’s see him go for 30+ tonight.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Ayton vs. Richards Round Two
Deandre Ayton had his way in the last meeting, pouring in 24 points on 11-12 FG in 33 minutes. He has scored 20+ points in four straight games, matching a career-best.
Ayton is averaging 20.8 points and 11.4 rebounds on 66% shooting during his past five games. Richards came back down to earth a bit, posting just 1 point (and 10 rebounds) in 25 minutes against the Blazers.
He’ll look to rebound from a rough offensive output and some early foul trouble that limited him. Portland’s center rotation is deep, so they’ll need all hands on deck between him and Mason Plumlee manning the middle.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Big Forwards
The duo of Jerami Grant and Toumani Camara terrorized the Suns in the last meeting. Grant always seems to have the Suns’ number over the years, and now they have another long wing in Camara giving them fits.
The Suns struggled against Minnesota in the playoffs due to their size and athleticism at the wing/forward positions. Length certainly bothers them and disrupts their offensive flow as seen by the 18 turnovers committed on Saturday.
Camara had four steals and Grant had two blocks. Portland had 11 steals as as team along with 5 blocked shots, consistently disrupting the Suns’ offense.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns came off a strong, encouraging win over the Warriors the game before their Portland loss. They need to find that energy again and hope the last one can just be chalked up to a rough second of a back-to-back.
Defense, defense, defense. Oh, and take care of the ball.
Prediction
Phoenix gets revenge tonight in a nail-biter.
Suns 113 Blazers 110