PHOENIX – Still trying to show the fight that they have had in the past couple of weeks, the Phoenix Suns are trying to overcome defensive struggles in the first half against Houston, as they trail the Rockets by a score of 59 to 50.
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Nov 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Dillon Brooks (3) high five in the second half of the game at Mortgage Match Up Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Even in a league where pace and spacing dominate headlines, hustle stats still tell the truth. The Suns were turning the ball over as Houston flipped possessions with strong nosed defense, and turned loose-ball scrambles into momentum-swinging runouts. Devin Booker is trying to step back into his star role, though, as he went 3-for-7 with 9 points and 3 assists. It helped that he also had help recently from players like Collin Gillespie, as he dropped 13 points, fueling an offense built on quick reads rather than forced heroics.
Nov 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns Head Coach Jordan Ott in the second half of the game at Mortgage Match Up Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
What’s striking is how this style scales. The Rockets challenged Phoenix with physical switches and long, disruptive wings, yet the Suns didn’t drift into iso-heavy habits. Instead, they responded with poise, swing-swing sequences, an early push in transition after stringing together turnovers, and a bench unit that refused to give away tempo. Josh Okogie, a familiar face for Suns fans, got the scoring started early for Houston. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun were getting their looks early as well. Although if Phoenix can keep it close going forward, they could still come out on top on Monday night.
Nov 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA: Phoenix Suns Head Coach Jordan Ott and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) talk in the first half of the game at Mortgage Match Up Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
It’s the kind of half that resonates not just tonight but in March, April, and any postseason setting where margins shrink and execution matters. Phoenix fans can feel it too; the energy is familiar, reminiscent of the great Suns teams that blended star power with detail work. This version isn’t driven solely by teams with massive names; it can be collaborative, sustainable, and repeatable.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
