Suns most to blame for NBA Play-In Tournament loss to Blazers

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Suns most to blame for NBA Play-In Tournament loss to Blazers

Enzo Flojo, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Wed, Apr 15, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The Phoenix Suns didn't just lose a basketball game. They watched their playoff hopes slowly slip through their fingers in real time. In an NBA Play-In Tournament clash that demanded poise , execution, and composure, Phoenix instead delivered a sequence of unraveling mistakes that turned control into chaos. Against a resilient Portland Trail Blazers squad, the Suns had the game in their grasp up 11 in the fourth quarter, only to let it disintegrate possession by possession in a heartbreaking 114-110 defeat. Now, as they prepare for a win-or-go-home game against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors , the focus shifts to the key figures whose missteps proved too costly to overcome .

Fourth-quarter meltdown

After a hot start to the game gave way to multiple double-digit deficits, the Suns finally turned the tide in the third quarter. An 11-point deficit turned into an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, and Phoenix appeared to be in full control, dictating tempo and forcing Portland into difficult shots.

Playoff basketball is unforgiving, though, and the margin between control and collapse is razor-thin. The Blazers responded with a stunning 27-12 closing run, fueled by second-chance opportunities, defensive pressure, timely Jerami Grant triples and the breakout brilliance of Deni Avdija , who poured in an amazing 41 points. Portland's energy flipped the game on its head, culminating in Avdija's go-ahead and-1 finish with just over 16 seconds remaining.

The Suns still had one last chance. After a missed Green 3-pointer that could have changed everything, they secured the offensive rebound, only to give it right back. In that fleeting moment, their first Play-In game ended, 114-110 . Not with a bang, but with a mistake. It was especially bittersweet for Green, who scored 35 points but couldn't make that final shot.

Devin Booker will certainly feel some heat after scoring just 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting as he dealt with foul trouble. Booker didn't make a single 3-ball, missing both of his attempts while also missing five free throws and struggling down the stretch. But there are other areas to blame for this brutal Suns loss.

Jordan Goodwin

There are moments in playoff basketball that define legacies, and for Jordan Goodwin, this was one of them. To his credit, Goodwin played with grit throughout the night. He battled on the boards and provided the kind of energy coaches crave in high-stakes situations while also knocking down a trio of triples. But in the end, one sequence overshadowed everything else.

After Green's potential go-ahead trey rimmed out in the closing seconds, Goodwin did the hard part. He fought through traffic and secured a crucial offensive rebound. It was the exact kind of play that keeps seasons alive. What followed, though, was devastating. Matisse Thybulle stripped the ball from Goodwin almost immediately, erasing any chance for a second attempt.

Had Goodwin secured the ball or kicked it out to reset the possession, Phoenix would have maybe had another opportunity to tie or win. Instead, the game ended in a scramble they failed to survive.

Furthermore, Goodwin missed a crucial free throw on an and-1 opportunity in the final minute of the game. Goodwin's basket off a beautiful Booker feed put the Suns back up one, but the missed free throw then led to Avdija's game-winner.

Dillon Brooks

The Suns leaned on Brooks to be their defensive tone-setter . He was supposed to disrupt Portland's rhythm and contain its most dangerous threats. However, on this night, that assignment slipped out of his grasp.

Brooks' impact was limited early by foul trouble. That disrupted Phoenix's defensive schemes in stretches. More importantly, Brooks struggled mightily against Avdija. The latter turned the matchup into a personal showcase. Time and again, Avdija attacked off the dribble, drew contact, and got to the free-throw line, exploiting gaps in Phoenix's defense. Brooks, expected to be the stopper, instead became a step behind.

When Portland mounted its comeback, it did so by targeting mismatches and attacking downhill. Brooks' inability to anchor the defense in those moments proved costly. The Suns watched their lead dissolve under relentless pressure.

Mark Williams

If Brooks' struggles were on the perimeter, Mark Williams faced his own battle in the interior—and lost it when it mattered most.

Portland dominated the offensive glass, finishing with 13 offensive rebounds. Those translated into 15 second-chance points. That disparity became the backbone of their comeback. It allowed them to extend possessions and wear down Phoenix's defense. Donovan Clingan was a constant presence. He hauled in 11 rebounds and consistently outworked Williams for position.

In a game decided by margins, Williams' inability to control the glass and protect the rim proved decisive.

The bench

Beyond individual mistakes, the Suns' downfall was also a collective failure. Nowhere was it more evident than in the performance of their bench unit.

While the starters carried the offensive load, the second unit failed to sustain momentum. The numbers tell the story. The Blazers outscored the Suns' bench 33-17, a 16-point swing in a game ultimately decided by four. Collin Gillespie , a breakout player this season, managed only five points in 20 minutes. Phoenix was also outscored by double figures in both Royce O'Neale and Ryan Dunn 's minutes.

Playoff basketball demands depth. On this night, the Suns simply didn't have enough of it.

Questions that linger

The Suns entered the Play-In with expectations of survival and perhaps even a deeper run. Instead, they are now teetering on the edge of elimination. Now, there are questions about execution, depth, and whether this roster, as constructed, can withstand the pressure of postseason basketball.

Because this loss wasn't about one player or one moment. It was about a series of breakdowns that compounded into a collapse. For Phoenix, it will be a quick turnaround, but they still have to face a harsh truth. Talent alone just isn't enough.

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