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Suns' play-in loss highlights worrying Devin Booker trend

Suns' play-in loss highlights worrying Devin Booker trend

The Phoenix Suns dropped their play-in game to the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night in part because Portland made almost twice as many three-point shots. The 114-110 loss forced the Suns into an elimination game on Friday and exposed an issue with the team's biggest star.

Deni Avdija's monster effort lifts Trail Blazers to play-in win, seven seed
Deni Avdija cements star status with phenomenal play-in performance
Deni Avdija responds to the 'foul-baiting' accusations
Bulls are the less-heralded winners of first play-in night
The 'Three-point leaders by NBA franchise' quiz
Deni Avdija News / Bright Side Of The Sun / April 15

Deni Avdija’s breakout night exposed the Suns’ biggest structural flaw

The Play-In game against the Portland Trail Blazers was a tough loss, but was it unexpected? All of us Suns fans were optimistic going into the game and the Suns definitely could have won.

Devin Booker News / Burn City Sports / April 15
Suns fans aren’t letting Devin Booker off the hook for Play-In loss after late collapse

Suns fans aren’t letting Devin Booker off the hook for Play-In loss after late collapse

PHOENIX — Frustration quickly took over social media after the Phoenix Suns’ 114-110 Play-In loss, with fans pointing to not only a team-wide collapse, but also Devin Booker fading down the stretch.

Golden State Warriors News / Yardbarker Quizzes
The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

How many of the 39 players in NBA history to average at least 25 points-per-game in at least five seasons can you name in six minutes?

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz
The 'Season triple-double record by team' quiz
The '60-point NBA games' quiz
Jalen Green News / Burn City Sports / April 15
Suns’ Jalen Green has strong complaint about officiating in Blazers Play-In loss

Suns’ Jalen Green has strong complaint about officiating in Blazers Play-In loss

 Tuesday’s 114-110 Play-In loss was a tough one to swallow for the Phoenix Suns. The franchise was up double digits in the fourth quarter but couldn’t stop All-Star Deni Avdija, who scored 14 of his 41 points in the final frame.

NBA News / Yardbarker
The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

In the NBA, it's all about showing up and showing out in the posteason. With that in mind, here are the 25 greatest NBA playoff games of all time. 

Phoenix Suns News / Burn City Sports / April 15
The Suns’ one simple mistake led to Play-In loss to Blazers

The Suns’ one simple mistake led to Play-In loss to Blazers

 The Phoenix Suns were up double digits with under seven minutes to go against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Play-In game. Phoenix just needed to survive the final stretch to secure its spot in the postseason, but as the lead shrunk, head coach Jordan Ott to try and get experimental with the lineup.

Devin Booker News / Burn City Sports / April 15
Devin Booker acknowledges Phoenix Suns’ late-game woes and how to fix them

Devin Booker acknowledges Phoenix Suns’ late-game woes and how to fix them

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are running out of time to fix a problem that has quietly defined the last stretch of their season: finishing games. It’s no longer just an issue, but a season-defining attribute — something star Devin Booker knows all too well.

Phoenix Suns News / Phoenix Suns on SI / April 15
Suns Blew Near 100% Win Probability vs Trail Blazers

Suns Blew Near 100% Win Probability vs Trail Blazers

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns now enter win or go home territory following their Tuesday night loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, a win that felt nearly impossible to fumble before the Suns made it happen.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker
The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

LeBron's career can't go on forever, can it? If it were to end tomorrow, it would be the greatest run of sustained excellence the league has ever seen.

Phoenix Suns News / Phoenix Suns on SI / April 15
Suns Coach Sends Message After Play-In Collapse

Suns Coach Sends Message After Play-In Collapse

PHOENIX — The dust is slowly settling on the Phoenix Suns' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center, which will play host to another NBA play-in tournament game on Friday as the Suns await the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors battle.

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The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz
 The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz
The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz
 The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz
The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
 The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
 The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
Phoenix Suns News / Bright Side Of The Sun / April 15

The Suns cracks show again in disappointing Play-In loss

How do you even put words to what that felt like? The Suns’ loss in their Play-In matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers stings. It was a game full of swings, strange stat lines, and a Mortgage Matchup Center that reached a level I haven’t heard in years.

Phoenix Suns News / EssentiallySports / April 15
'Call It Both Ways': Jalen Green Calls Out NBA Refs While Devin Booker Takes Blame for Suns Loss to Blazers

'Call It Both Ways': Jalen Green Calls Out NBA Refs While Devin Booker Takes Blame for Suns Loss to Blazers

The first day of the Play-In Tournament brought out some raw emotions everywhere. While Miami Heat was boiling in rage over Hornets’ LaMelo Ball not getting called for fouling Bam Adebayo, emotions are running high in Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 15
4 Suns most to blame for Play-In loss to Blazers

4 Suns most to blame for Play-In loss to Blazers

The Phoenix Suns didn’t just lose a basketball game. They watched their Playoff hopes slowly slip through their fingers in real time. In a Play-In clash that demanded poise, execution, and composure, Phoenix instead delivered a sequence of unraveling mistakes that turned control into chaos.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 15
Blazers face a historic bad omen after play-in win vs. Suns

Blazers face a historic bad omen after play-in win vs. Suns

The Portland Trail Blazers escaped with a nail-biting win over the Phoenix Suns, 114-110, at Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday to advance to the playoffs as the seventh seed.

Phoenix Suns News / Burn City Sports / April 15
Phoenix Suns’ late-game struggles continue in biggest game of the year

Phoenix Suns’ late-game struggles continue in biggest game of the year

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns will need to play one more game to lock in their spot in the playoffs, with late-game issues still at the forefront after their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, 114-110.

Phoenix Suns News / Phoenix Suns on SI / April 15
Suns Fumble Late Lead, Collapse in Dramatic Play-In Loss to Blazers

Suns Fumble Late Lead, Collapse in Dramatic Play-In Loss to Blazers

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns were up by 11 points in the fourth quarter before squandering their double digit lead to lose in dramatic 114-110 fashion on Tuesday, Portland will play the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs after winning tonight.

Deni Avdija News / Yardbarker / April 15
Deni Avdija's monster effort lifts Trail Blazers to play-in win, seven seed

Deni Avdija's monster effort lifts Trail Blazers to play-in win, seven seed

Even after he made his first All-Star appearance this season, many NBA fans aren't familiar with Deni Avdija. After he carried the Portland Trail Blazers to a play-in win, that should no longer be the case.

Deni Avdija responds to the 'foul-baiting' accusations
Heat lose to Hornets without Bam Adebayo after potentially dirty LaMelo Ball play
Watch: Ball pulls a dirty move on Adebayo during play-in game
Erik Spoelstra hammers Ball for 'dangerous play' that injured Adebayo
Miles Bridges, Ball lead Hornets to wild play-in win over Heat
Heat star reacts to his sister getting drafted by the Chicago Sky
Jordan Ott News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 14
Suns’ Jordan Ott shares how ‘authentic’ first Play-In game feels

Suns’ Jordan Ott shares how ‘authentic’ first Play-In game feels

PHOENIX– A successful 2025-26 Phoenix Suns season has landed them in the NBA Play-In tournament, squaring off against the Portland Trail Blazers. First-year head coach Jordan Ott has put the Suns on a different path in all the best ways.

Phoenix Suns News / EasySportz / April 14
Suns Host Blazers in Must-See Play-In Game

Suns Host Blazers in Must-See Play-In Game

PHOENIX — The stakes are simple, the margin is razor-thin, and the winner gets a direct path into the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight in a Western Conference play-in showdown for the No.

NBA News / Total Pro Sports / April 14
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns: Latest Injury Update Ahead of 7th Place Clash in West

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns: Latest Injury Update Ahead of 7th Place Clash in West

The Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers scampered through to the play-ins. While their regular season could have been better, the opportunity to rectify past wrongs means both teams will be reluctant to give their opponents an iota of space.

Phoenix Suns News / Field Level Media / April 13
Blazers out to end playoff drought, face Suns in play-in round

Blazers out to end playoff drought, face Suns in play-in round

Phoenix coach Jordan Ott is confident regarding the host Suns' mindset entering their play-in tournament game against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

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