The Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to four games on Monday night with a hard-fought 115-101 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Despite missing several key players due to injuries and suspension, the Suns managed to outlast an improving Wizards squad, thanks to standout performances from Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, and a relentless effort on the offensive glass.
Dillon Brooks led the charge for Phoenix with a game-high 26 points, shooting 8-for-20 from the field. Collin Gillespie, stepping up in a larger role, poured in 25 points and connected on five three-pointers, continuing his remarkable run of form. Devin Booker chipped in with 22 points, although he struggled with his shot early, finishing 8-of-23 from the floor. The Suns, now 19-13, have won five of their last six games and are showing signs of resilience despite a shorthanded roster.
The Suns' victory did not come easily. Phoenix shot just 30% in the first quarter, and both Brooks and Booker combined for a chilly 8-for-24 at halftime. The Wizards, who entered the contest with the NBA’s second-worst record but had been 4-4 in their last eight games, took advantage of the Suns' sluggish start and even led for stretches of the first half. Rookie Tre Johnson kept Washington competitive, scoring a career-high 24 points and surpassing his previous best with a three-pointer to open the third quarter. CJ McCollum added 17 points for the Wizards, who were hoping to secure their first three-game win streak since early February.
But the Suns’ relentless hustle on the boards made all the difference. Phoenix absolutely dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds to Washington’s nine. By halftime, the Suns had racked up a staggering 23 second-chance points to the Wizards’ zero, and they finished with a 26-10 advantage in that department. This tireless work gave Phoenix 23 more shot attempts than Washington, helping offset their lackluster shooting and defensive lapses.
"For all of the areas where there have been more gaps in execution for the Suns over the last month, the work crashing the glass has not broken stride at all," observed a local sports analyst. The Suns’ ability to create extra opportunities proved vital, especially as they played without center Mark Williams, who was serving a one-game suspension for his role in an on-court altercation during the previous game against New Orleans. Oso Ighodaro stepped into the starting center role and delivered a solid performance with six points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 30 minutes.
Head coach Jordan Ott, in his first season at the helm, had to get creative with the lineup. Phoenix was already without Grayson Allen (right knee injury), Ryan Dunn (right knee soreness), and Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) in addition to Williams. The starting five featured Gillespie, Booker, Brooks, Royce O’Neale, and Ighodaro. Despite being shorthanded, the Suns have consistently found ways to win, with Gillespie’s recent play a particular bright spot. He’s now scored at least 15 points in six straight games, joining Booker, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, and Brooks as the only Suns to achieve such a streak in the last five seasons.
Royce O’Neale also chipped in with 15 points, all from beyond the arc, nailing five of his eight three-point attempts. Phoenix as a team shot 17-of-40 from downtown, a blistering 42.5%, and nearly matched their three-point percentage with their overall field goal percentage (41-for-101, 41%). The Suns’ offensive versatility, even with several regulars sidelined, has been key to their recent surge.
On the other side, the Wizards were also dealing with a depleted roster. Washington was without Kyshawn George (left hip flexor strain), Corey Kispert (left hamstring strain), Khris Middleton (right knee injury management), and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis). Alex Sarr, the Wizards’ promising big man, contributed with his usual presence in the paint but couldn’t quite tip the scales against Phoenix’s aggressive rebounding.
The game’s pivotal stretch came in the third quarter. After Johnson’s three-pointer and a runner from Sarr cut Washington’s halftime deficit from seven to just two points, the Suns responded with a decisive 16-3 run. Back-to-back threes from O’Neale and Gillespie capped the surge, pushing Phoenix’s lead to 77-62 and giving them the breathing room they needed. The Wizards, playing the second half of a back-to-back, tried to rally but could never quite close the gap. A late 9-2 run by the Suns, highlighted by an Ighodaro floater and a Booker step-back jumper, sealed the deal.
"Gillespie in particular is playing his best basketball of the season after a brief shooting slump at the start of the month indicated some regression could be coming and that a role of 30-plus minutes was too large for him. Instead, he’s scored 15-plus points in six straight games, an impressive bit of consistency we aren’t used to seeing from Booker’s supporting cast," noted a Suns beat writer.
For the Wizards, the loss was disappointing but not without positives. Johnson’s breakout performance continues to give fans hope for the future, and McCollum’s steady scoring kept them within striking distance for much of the night. Still, Washington’s struggles on the boards and inability to capitalize on Phoenix’s defensive lapses proved costly. The Wizards now fall to 7-25 on the season and will look to regroup as they head to Milwaukee for their next contest.
Phoenix, meanwhile, will close out their four-game road trip on New Year’s Eve in Cleveland against the Cavaliers. Despite the mounting injuries, the Suns’ ability to adapt and find contributions from up and down the roster has them moving up the Western Conference standings. With their rebounding prowess and improved three-point shooting, they’re starting to look like a team that could make some real noise as the season progresses.
As the Suns prepare for the final stop of their road trip, fans can’t help but wonder: can this patchwork lineup keep the momentum going? One thing’s for sure—if they keep crashing the boards like this, anything’s possible.
