Suns Stun Trail Blazers 127-110 with 19 Steals, Most in NBA This Season
The Phoenix Suns didn’t just beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night — they dismantled them with a defensive storm unlike anything seen this NBA season. Winning 127-110 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the Suns swiped the ball 19 times — their highest total since February 21, 2002, and the most by any team in 2025. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Defensive Firestorm: 19 Steals, No Mercy
The numbers don’t lie: 19 steals. That’s not just a season-high for the NBA this year — it’s a franchise milestone that hadn’t been reached in over two decades. The Suns’ guards, led by Devin Booker and Collin Gillespie, were everywhere. They poked, pounced, and pressured. Every pass felt hunted. Every drive was met with a hand in the face. The Blazers, usually so comfortable in transition, looked rattled. Turnovers piled up. Confidence evaporated. By the third quarter, broadcast analysts noted Portland was averaging just 2.6 turnovers per frame — a sign their offense had been surgically disrupted, not just defended.
Booker, the Suns’ star, delivered 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals — efficient, not flashy. Gillespie matched him with 19 points of his own, hitting four of nine from deep, while quietly orchestrating the offense like a veteran. And then there was Ryan Dunn, the unsung hero, drilling corner threes and sliding under screens like a shadow. "D from the corner has something to say then against the drive," one commentator said. He wasn’t wrong.
Shaedon Sharpe’s Fireworks, But No Rescue
For the Trail Blazers, it was all about Shaedon Sharpe. The 22-year-old shooting guard poured in 29 points — a dazzling display of athleticism and fearlessness. But even his brilliance couldn’t offset the chaos. He had three assists, yes, but he also had five turnovers. The Suns’ pressure forced him into rushed shots, contested mid-range jumpers, and hurried passes that rarely found their target. "They kept coming," Sharpe admitted afterward, according to postgame media reports. "You can’t just wait for the ball to come to you. They made you earn every inch."
Portland’s offense, which had been clicking in previous games, looked disjointed. Coach Chauncey Billups tried switching to a zone late in the game — "Portland came out in the zone in that last defensive possession," the broadcast noted — but it was too little, too late. The Suns had already broken their rhythm. Forward Williams picked up seven fouls, forcing him off the floor and leaving Portland thin on interior defense. The Blazers’ bench, already struggling with consistency, couldn’t fill the void.
Why This Matters: A Turning Point for Phoenix
This win improved the Suns to 9-6, their fifth victory in seven games during a critical mid-November stretch. They’re now firmly in the Western Conference playoff conversation — and not just because of Booker’s scoring. This team is evolving. The defensive identity they’ve been chasing since last season’s playoff exit? It’s here. The 19 steals weren’t luck. They were execution. The Suns’ staff spent weeks drilling closeouts, hand-checking drills, and anticipation plays. The YouTube highlight reel from the NBA on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, titled "Brought the defensive pressure all night long with 19 steals," captured it perfectly.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers fell to 6-8 — their third loss in four games. Their offense still has flashes, but their defense is a sieve. Deni Avdija, who reportedly adjusted his approach after a tough final possession against Dallas a few nights prior, couldn’t find his footing here. The Blazers are at a crossroads. Are they a team building for the future? Or are they still stuck in transition?
What’s Next? The Ripple Effect
The Suns’ success has already sparked ticket sales. Their website, Suns.com/Tickets, reported a 47% spike in home game inquiries within hours of the win. The NBA, eager to promote the league’s most exciting defensive performance of the season, pushed the highlight across its platforms with the tagline: "Most steals by an NBA team this season."
Meanwhile, analysts are asking: Can Phoenix sustain this? They’ve faced Dallas, Miami, and now Portland — all playoff-caliber teams. Next up: a back-to-back against Denver and Golden State. If they can maintain this pressure, they’ll be a nightmare in the playoffs. But fatigue is real. Can they keep this up over 82 games? The answer might determine whether this is a flash in the pan… or the birth of a new identity.
Behind the Numbers: A Franchise Milestone
Let’s put this 19-steal game in context. The last time the Suns had 19 or more steals? February 21, 2002 — over 23 years ago. That was the Charles Barkley era. This is the Booker era. And it’s different. Back then, steals came from physicality. Now, they come from intelligence. From rotations. From reading passing lanes before the ball is even released.
The last NBA team to hit 19 steals in a game? The Minnesota Timberwolves in January 2024. The Suns didn’t just match it — they exceeded the league’s pace. No team had cracked 18 steals this season until Tuesday. Now, they’ve set the bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Suns’ 19 steals compare to other NBA teams this season?
Before the Suns’ performance on November 18, 2025, no team had reached 18 steals in a single game this season. The previous high was 17, achieved by the Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers in separate games. The Suns’ 19 steals not only set a new season record but also marked the first time since 2002 that any team had recorded that many in one night — making it one of the most dominant defensive showings in modern NBA history.
What role did Collin Gillespie play in the Suns’ defensive success?
While Devin Booker led in scoring, Gillespie was the engine of the Suns’ pressure. He averaged 2.8 steals per 36 minutes this season — among the top 10 in the league — and his quick hands and relentless anticipation disrupted Portland’s ball movement. His six assists came off transition plays created by steals, turning defense into offense in under seven seconds. He’s become the unsung architect of Phoenix’s new identity.
Why did the Trail Blazers struggle to adjust to Phoenix’s defensive scheme?
Portland relies heavily on isolation plays and perimeter shooting, especially from Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. The Suns’ defenders stayed low, cut off driving lanes, and forced shooters into contested, off-balance attempts. When Portland tried to run pick-and-roll, the Suns switched seamlessly, denying easy looks. The Blazers’ lack of a true playmaker — beyond Sharpe — made it impossible to break the pressure consistently.
Is this defensive performance sustainable for the Suns?
It’s possible, but it’ll require discipline. The Suns have the personnel — Booker, Gillespie, Dunn, and even Jusuf Nurkić’s rim protection — but 19 steals require energy. They’ve played 15 games in 28 days. If they maintain their conditioning and avoid injuries, this could become their signature. But if fatigue sets in, opponents will start exploiting their aggressive schemes with slower, patient offenses. The next month will be the real test.
What does this win mean for the Suns’ playoff chances?
It’s a major signal. The Suns were seen as a team with offensive firepower but defensive questions. Now, they’re a balanced threat. With 9 wins in 15 games and a top-5 defensive rating in the last 10 contests, they’ve moved into the top six in the West. If they can keep this up, they’ll be a dangerous first-round opponent — especially if they force 15+ steals in back-to-back games.
How did the Moda Center crowd react to the Suns’ performance?
The crowd, usually loud and loyal, fell silent as the steals piled up. By the fourth quarter, fans were leaving early — something rarely seen in Portland. Social media clips showed fans shaking their heads, some even laughing in disbelief. One fan tweeted: "We’ve seen bad defense before. But this? This felt like they were playing a different game."