Saturday afternoon at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, was anything but ordinary for the Phoenix Suns. Facing the Orlando Magic on February 21, 2026, the Suns were already reeling from a slew of injuries and recent setbacks. Yet, in a stunning double-overtime finish, Jalen Green delivered a moment that will be replayed for years—a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sealed a dramatic 113-110 victory for Phoenix. The win, however, came at a cost, as key players Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin exited with injuries, adding to the Suns’ growing list of absences.
The Suns entered the contest without their All-Star guard Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a right hip strain suffered against the San Antonio Spurs just two nights prior. Booker, averaging 24.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds over 44 games this season, was set to be reevaluated in a week. The absence of their primary late-clock scorer left Phoenix searching for answers and offensive rhythm. Haywood Highsmith, another recent addition, remained out as he continued to recover from right knee surgery, with the team reporting “good progress” and an evaluation scheduled in two to three weeks.
The starting lineup for Phoenix reflected the team’s makeshift status: Collin Gillespie, Jalen Green, Royce O’Neale, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams took the floor, with Grayson Allen—questionable with an ankle issue—ready to contribute off the bench. Coach Jordan Ott, who returned Brooks to the lineup following a one-game suspension for technical fouls, stressed the need for physicality against Orlando. “The last handful of games, I don’t think we’ve been there... That’s kind of how the game is moving,” Ott explained pre-game. “These guys are physical drivers. We know they want to get into the paint, they want to get to the rim. That’s their advantage. We got to withstand that first bump as much as we want to support you.”
Early on, the Suns struggled to find their footing. Without Booker orchestrating the offense, Phoenix looked predictable, often settling for contested midrange shots while Orlando dictated the tempo and capitalized on transition opportunities. The Magic, fresh off a franchise-record 27 three-pointers in their previous outing, brought energy and physicality, with Paolo Banchero leading the charge. The Suns’ offense sputtered, and the crowd grew anxious as Dillon Brooks, a key contributor averaging 21.2 points on 44.1% shooting this season, exited the game with 4:46 remaining in the first quarter. Brooks had scored five points on two of seven shooting and grabbed three rebounds before heading to the locker room, shaking his hand and later being diagnosed with a thumb injury. His return timetable remained uncertain.
As if the injury woes weren’t enough, the Suns’ bench was tested further when Jordan Goodwin, who had been effective all night, limped off the court late in the fourth quarter after tweaking his left leg. Goodwin, who tallied 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, six rebounds, and six assists, was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with what coach Ott later described as a calf injury. An MRI was scheduled for the following day, leaving his status in doubt moving forward.
Despite these setbacks, the Suns refused to wilt. Coach Ott’s halftime adjustments proved pivotal. Phoenix increased its pace off defensive rebounds and prioritized early-clock paint touches, generating higher-quality looks and sparking a decisive third-quarter response. The energy shift was palpable, and the Suns clawed their way back into the contest, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Grayson Allen and Jordan Goodwin were instrumental in keeping Phoenix afloat. Allen led the team with 27 points, including ten in overtime—seven of which came in the first extra period when he was the Suns’ only scorer. The Allen-Goodwin tandem combined for 44 points off the bench, providing much-needed scoring punch and stabilizing the offense during critical stretches. “Allen’s presence was huge for us tonight, especially when things got tight,” Ott noted postgame. Goodwin’s two-way impact before his injury was equally vital, as he filled gaps on both ends of the floor.
Jalen Green, meanwhile, endured a rough shooting night—entering the final moments just five of 25 from the field and one of ten from beyond the arc. He had also missed four of six free throws in the overtimes, adding to the mounting pressure. Yet, with the clock winding down in double overtime and the score knotted at 110, Green found himself with the ball at the top of the key. Rising over a defender, he launched a high-arcing three-pointer as time expired. The shot splashed through the net, setting off pandemonium in the arena and sending the Suns’ bench into a frenzy. “ABSOLUTE SCENES!” the team’s social media account exclaimed, capturing the jubilation in the building.
For Orlando, the loss was a bitter pill. The Magic had entered the game with momentum, having defeated the Sacramento Kings 131-94 in their previous outing. Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black, and Desmond Bane had all been in strong form, but the Magic were without key contributors Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner due to injuries. Despite dictating the early tempo and capitalizing on Phoenix’s sluggish start, Orlando couldn’t close things out in the extra sessions.
The Suns’ resilience in the face of adversity was the story of the night. With Booker, Highsmith, Brooks, and Goodwin all missing significant time, Phoenix leaned on depth, adaptability, and timely adjustments. “Can the Suns manufacture resilience without Booker? Can Ott’s adjustments become a repeatable edge?” pondered local analysts. Saturday’s win hinted at a blueprint for survival—a team identity forged in the crucible of challenge, not dependency on a single star.
Looking ahead, the Suns’ medical staff faces a busy week. Brooks’ hand injury and Goodwin’s calf issue will require further evaluation, while Booker’s status remains day-to-day. Highsmith’s progress is encouraging, but his return isn’t imminent. The Suns, now 33-24, will need continued contributions from Allen, Green, and their supporting cast as they prepare for a back-to-back set, with the Portland Trail Blazers arriving in town next.
On a night defined by perseverance and a flair for the dramatic, the Phoenix Suns proved they’re more than the sum of their parts. With Jalen Green’s buzzer-beating heroics and a collective display of grit, Phoenix gave its fans a reason to believe—no matter who’s in uniform, this team won’t go quietly.