The Phoenix Suns rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 on November 18, 2025, in a game that felt less like a battle and more like a timed exam—except the exam paper had half the questions removed. With Grayson Tyler Allen sidelined by a right quadriceps contusion, and the Blazers missing both Jrue Randall Holiday (right calf strain) and Jerami Grant (illness), the Suns seized control early and never looked back. It was their seventh straight win over an opponent missing at least one key star—and it wasn’t even close to being the most surprising part.
When the Injury List Becomes a Schedule
The Phoenix Suns didn’t just win. They’ve been winning while their own roster is unraveling. Jalen Tarence Green, their explosive young guard, has played just one full game this season due to a right hamstring strain. Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams have also missed stretches. And yet, here they are: 9-6, tied for third in the Western Conference. The twist? They haven’t had to fight through tough matchups. They’ve been handed soft ones.According to Sports Illustrated, the Suns’ stretch of opponents missing stars reads like a highlight reel of NBA absences: November 6, Clippers without James Harden and Kawhi Leonard; November 8, Clippers again without Leonard; November 10, Pelicans without Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole; November 12, Mavericks without Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II; November 13, Pacers without Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin; November 16, Hawks without Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis; and then, on November 18, the Blazers without Holiday and Grant. Seven in a row. No team in recent memory has had this kind of scheduling luck—and no team in recent memory has capitalized so consistently.
Devin Booker Keeps It Together
While the injuries on the other side created the opening, it was Devin Armani Booker who walked through it. The Suns’ All-Star guard dropped 19 points against Portland, playing with the quiet efficiency of someone who’s seen this movie before. He didn’t need 35 to win. He didn’t need to carry the team. He just needed to be there—and he was. Meanwhile, Portland’s offense sputtered without Holiday’s playmaking (he was averaging 8.3 assists) and Grant’s scoring (18.3 ppg). Scoot Henderson, Portland’s promising young guard, was already out with a left hamstring tear, leaving the Blazers with a depleted backcourt and no clear identity."We’re not making excuses," Suns coach Frank Vogel told reporters after the game. "We’ve got guys out. They’ve got guys out. But we’re trying to build something that doesn’t rely on who’s sitting on the bench. We’re trying to build a culture where you play your game, no matter who’s across from you."
Why This Isn’t Just Luck
It’s easy to call this a fluke. A lucky stretch. A product of the injury gods smiling on Phoenix. But the real story is deeper. In past seasons, the Suns would’ve lost at least three of those seven games. They’d have played down to the level of their opponents, especially when missing key rotation pieces. This year? They’re different. They’re faster. They’re more balanced. They’re trusting their system more than their stars.Even without Grayson Tyler Allen—a player who thrives in spacing and late-clock execution—the Suns’ ball movement improved. Their bench, led by Rasheer Fleming’s replacement and rookie guard Max Christie, outscored Portland’s reserves 41-28. That’s not luck. That’s depth. That’s coaching. That’s adaptation.
The league is drowning in injuries right now. The NBA’s injury report is longer than a Netflix season finale. But while teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Nuggets scramble to survive, the Suns are thriving—not because they’re healthy, but because they’ve stopped waiting for everyone to be back. They’ve learned to win without their best players. That’s the mark of a championship-caliber team.
What’s Next? The Real Test Begins
The easy part is over. Starting November 20, the Suns face the Denver Nuggets—without injuries, without excuses. Then the Warriors, the Thunder, the Lakers. The schedule gets brutal. The opponents won’t be missing stars. The games won’t be gifts.Can they keep winning? That’s the question. Because if they can beat the best without their best, then maybe, just maybe, this isn’t a lucky streak. Maybe it’s a transformation.
Behind the Scenes: The Injury Toll
The numbers tell a story no highlight reel can. On November 18, the Suns were without four key players: Allen (quad), Green (hamstring), Brooks (ankle), and Williams (rest). The Trail Blazers were missing three: Holiday (calf), Grant (illness), and Henderson (hamstring). The NBA’s injury report from November 21 confirmed all were still sidelined, with Holiday listed as "Questionable" and Grant still recovering from flu-like symptoms. Grayson Tyler Allen is expected to miss at least another week, and Jalen Tarence Green has been ruled out for the next three games.Meanwhile, Portland’s season is slipping. They’re 4-11, last in the Northwest Division. Without Holiday’s leadership and Grant’s versatility, they’ve become a one-man show led by Anfernee Simons—who’s averaging 24 points but shooting 38% from the field. They’re not just injured. They’re unraveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Suns manage to win without Grayson Allen and Jalen Green?
The Suns leaned on their depth and system. Devin Booker led the offense with 19 points, while bench players like Max Christie and Jalen Smith stepped up with timely shooting and defense. Phoenix ranked third in the NBA in assists per game before the injuries, and they kept moving the ball, creating open looks even without their star scorers. Their defense, particularly in the paint, held Portland to just 42% shooting.
Why is this seven-game stretch against injured teams so unusual?
No team in the last decade has faced seven consecutive opponents missing multiple All-Star or All-NBA level players. The Suns’ schedule strength, per ESPN, was the easiest in the league during this stretch. Even teams like the 2021 Bucks and 2023 Nuggets—both title contenders—didn’t get this kind of favorable draw. It’s not just quantity; it’s quality. Missing Harden, Leonard, Davis, and Young is a massive advantage.
What’s the impact on Portland’s playoff chances?
Portland’s playoff hopes are all but gone. At 4-11, they’re 10.5 games behind the eighth seed. Without Jrue Holiday’s defense and playmaking, and Jerami Grant’s two-way presence, they lack the firepower and leadership to climb. Scoot Henderson’s hamstring tear could sideline him until January, and their young core isn’t ready to carry a team through a full season without veteran stability.
Are the Suns truly a contender, or just benefiting from bad luck elsewhere?
They’re a contender—but not because of luck. Their 9-6 record includes wins over teams with healthy rosters, like the Pacers and Hawks. They’ve shown resilience without key players. Their defense has improved, their bench is deeper, and Booker is playing at an MVP level. If they can hold it together through the tougher stretch ahead, this won’t be a fluke—it’ll be a statement.
When will Grayson Allen and Jalen Green return?
Grayson Allen is expected to miss at least another week, with no official return date. Jalen Green is out for the next three games, with a re-evaluation scheduled for November 27. Both players are progressing in rehab, but the Suns are being cautious—especially with Green, whose hamstring injury has flared up before. Rushing either back could risk long-term setbacks.
How does this compare to past Suns teams?
In past seasons, the Suns would’ve collapsed under this injury load. In 2023, they lost to the Mavericks and Nuggets in the playoffs despite being favorites, partly because they couldn’t adjust without their stars. This year’s team is more balanced, better coached, and mentally tougher. They’re not waiting for everyone to heal—they’re building a new identity while they wait.