Apr 15, 2026 - News

Win or go home: Suns have one more chance after play-in loss to Portland

Jeremy Duda

A basketball player in a red uniform holds back a player in a black uniform who's trying to reach a loose ball, with another player from each team in the background. — Devin Booker of the Suns struggles with Portland's Scoot Henderson for a loose ball during Phoenix's loss to the Trail Blazers Tuesday night. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns blew an 11-point lead in a play-in game against Portland and have one more chance to break into the first round of the NBA postseason.

Driving the news: The Trail Blazers rallied late in the fourth quarter to hand the Suns a 114-110 loss Tuesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix and earn the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

Portland's Deni Avdija hit a layup to give the Blazers the lead with 16 seconds left, capping a 41-point night for him.
Jalen Green, who led the Suns with 35 points, missed what would've been a game-winning three-pointer as the fourth quarter came to an end.
The Blazers will play the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

What's next: Phoenix will play the winner of Wednesday's play-in game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed in the West.

The winner will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA's top team, in the first round.

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Win or go home: Suns have one more chance after play-in loss to Portland

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