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Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

HoopsHype
·9 min read

The Phoenix Suns (21-5) play against the Portland Trail Blazers (16-16) at Moda Center

Game Time: 10:00 PM EST on Tuesday December 14, 2021

Phoenix Suns 18, Portland Trail Blazers 14 (Q1 04:21)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Big Fella making his impact early! pic.twitter.com/CG4EXJqhZ7 – 10:23 PM

Portland Trail Blazers @trailblazers
🛑 Nah-sir Little 🛑 pic.twitter.com/QOTwnhLLaF – 10:20 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Defensive rotations got a step off for a handful of possessions (which I think is what ticked CP3) but looked good for those past few. Paul is finding a nice pocket for Ayton on the rolls. DA being able to finish on a catch around FT line is big. – 10:20 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton with seven as he finishes above the rim.
Timeout #Blazers. #Suns up two with 6:30 left.
Doesn’t seem to be laboring out there. Curious to see when JaVale McGee enters the game.
At midway point of 1st quarter now. I give it another two, 2-1/2 minutes and McGee checks in. – 10:19 PM

Dwight Jaynes @dwightjaynes
Blitzing Chris Paul on pick and rolls does not seem to be any sort of way to defend. – 10:19 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Deandre Ayton has 7 of the Suns’ first 13 points, as well as a steal and an assist, in 5 minutes. Welcome back, big fella – 10:18 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Damian Lillard’s carving up the Suns defense to start this one. Need to do a better job once they screen Mikal Bridges to free Dame up – 10:16 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Chris Paul slammed his hand on the stanchion after picking up his second foul. Not one to show that type of visible frustration in Phoenix that often. – 10:15 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Lillard pull up in the paint. #Blazers up two on #Suns – 10:14 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Lillard relocates for 3. #Suns lead down to one. – 10:13 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
The Suns have the 6-6 Mikal Bridges guarding Damian Lillard. – 10:11 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Deandre Ayton with what looked like a block, a steal and then an and-1 finish in about 90 seconds – 10:11 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton already presence on defense.
Challenged inside shot of Nance Jr. from back.
Then got steal.
Now has 3-point play.
But just got called for defensive 3 seconds. #Suns up 5-1. – 10:10 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Jae gets things started tonight! pic.twitter.com/rI0KIbpWnJ – 10:10 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Jae Crowder gets first #Suns bucket. 2-0 Phoenix. – 10:09 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Let’s do this. #Suns #Blazers #RipCity pic.twitter.com/qEpVYxb12O – 10:04 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Deandre Ayton up top for dunk in warmups.
AND.
Wait for Ish Wainright off the glass smash. #Suns pic.twitter.com/g3z3n8GONX – 9:57 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Deandre Ayton is back. #Suns pic.twitter.com/W9agInAAN1 – 9:51 PM

Portland Trail Blazers @trailblazers
Starting 🖐️
0⃣ @Damian Lillard
2⃣4⃣ @Norman Powell
9⃣ @Nassir Little
1⃣1⃣ @Larry Nance Jr
2⃣7⃣ @Jusuf Nurkic
#RipCity | @stormxio pic.twitter.com/XJ7HnXxrVX – 9:47 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
We in here. #Suns #Blazers #RipCity pic.twitter.com/4esE6O5Beg – 9:47 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns big Deandre Ayton returns after missing two games with non-COVID illness https://t.co/7pQMdWQlcs via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/0gDaKaoCqG – 9:37 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Starters vs Blazers!
#ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/nb33OYoOEn – 9:30 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
😤😤 pic.twitter.com/3Abh4MgAnJ – 9:12 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Tonight’s @BannerHealth Health Update: pic.twitter.com/D918CCcbA6 – 9:07 PM

Portland Trail Blazers @trailblazers
Game faces pic.twitter.com/SmWyFTt7KC – 9:03 PM

Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Next man up.
📼 Roll The Tape vs. Phoenix pic.twitter.com/xDrQ0E1UYH – 9:00 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Almost that time.
📺 @BALLYSPORTSAZ pic.twitter.com/ZVjxwR0jqN – 8:57 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Stephen Curry sets 3-point record: LeBron, Chris Paul, Tom Brady react to Warriors star breaking Allen’s mark
cbssports.com/nba/news/steph… – 8:53 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Deandre Ayton is back for tonight’s game at Portland after missing last two with non-COVID illness.
When asked if he’s on a minutes count tonight, #Suns coach Monty Williams said they’ll see how Ayton feels. – 8:51 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I just watched it.”
#Suns coach Monty Williams on Stephen Curry become the #NBA all-time leader in 3s made.
“An amazing accomplishment” pic.twitter.com/WPvwfFuaSp – 8:46 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Final prep.
#ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/GQthXYycBP – 8:46 PM

Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
We are previewing Suns-Blazers and sharing our thoughts on some @PrizePicks over/unders in this game: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 8:41 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“No struggle, no strength.”
Monty Williams when asked about playing with guys out as he said #Suns need to be able to play small.
Said Monday night’s game he was an uncomfortable game to coach playing so many small guys in terms of who is setting screen.
#NBA75 – 8:39 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty said he doesn’t want his players looking over their shoulders when they take shots. Then he joked, “Except Cam Payne. And JaVale, shooting 3s.” – 8:35 PM

Jay Allen @PDXjay
Deandre Ayton (non-Covid illness) will play tonight against the #Blazers. He missed the last two games. – 8:32 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton in. #Suns – 8:31 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Deandre Ayton is set to play for the Suns, per Monty Williams – 8:31 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty Williams said Deandre Ayton (non-COVID illness) will play tonight – 8:30 PM

Chris Paul @CP3
History!! Congrats @Stephen Curry!! 🙏🏾✊🏾 – 8:26 PM

Mike Richman @mikegrich
No real update on CJ McCollum’s status but Chauncey Billups said McCollum isn’t doing anything on court yet. Billups added he’s unsure of a potential timeline for McCollum to return. – 8:26 PM

Jay Allen @PDXjay
Larry Nance Jr. will get a second straight start tonight, with Robert Covington coming off the bench. Nassir Little will also be in the starting lineup again tonight against Phoenix. – 8:19 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Chauncey Billups said he doesn’t have a timeline for when CJ McCollum will return – 8:18 PM

Casey Holdahl @CHold
The first colorways of the @Damian Lillard x @adidas Basketball Dame 8 have been spot on pic.twitter.com/8F7tGep5k3 – 8:16 PM

Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Curry Family Record Book
3-point goals
1. Stephen Curry – 2,974 / 43.1%
2. Dell Curry – 1,245 / 40.2%
3. Seth Curry – 625 / 44% – 7:51 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
CJ McCollum (right lung pneumothorax) and Cody Zeller (right patellar fracture) OUT for #Blazers tonight vs. #Suns. #RipCity – 7:45 PM

Synergy Sports Tech @SynergySST
The first one: #NBA 10/30/2009 at Phoenix
Play Type: Off Screen > Catch and Shoot
Defended By: Lou Amundson
On Court:
PHX: Steve Nash – Leandro Barbosa – Grant Hill – Lou Amundson – Channing Frye
GSW: Stephen Jackson – Kelenna Azubuike – Anthony Morrow – Andris Biedrins pic.twitter.com/RNwqdtesiN – 7:41 PM

Portland Trail Blazers @trailblazers
Tonight’s Gameday Poster vs Phoenix 🎨
Art by David Kitcher pic.twitter.com/pW78Zu57VM – 7:15 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The shorthanded Suns are learning hard lessons that could pay dividends down the road – https://t.co/GeydGLQnbj via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/qzms70z2jN – 7:02 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns injury report vs. #Blazers
OUT: Devin Booker (hamstring), Jalen Smith (non-COVID illness), Frank Kaminsky (knee) and Abdel Nader (knee).
QUESTIONABLE: Deandre Ayton (non-COVID illness).
G-League: Chandler Hutchison (Santa Cruz). – 7:00 PM

Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
‘Roll The Tape’ vs Phoenix dropping at 6:00PM PT. 👀 – 7:00 PM

Eli Savoie @Eli560
I gotta say COVID going crazy through the NBA and the Grizzlies in Portland has me worried. – 6:45 PM

Ishmail Wainwright @Wainright24
I’m sorry but I have to say this , there is no second “w” in my last name. Been getting that for years.
“WAINRIGHT” 😁 thank you ! – 6:43 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Happy #NBAJerseyDay!
Reply or quote tweet us with a pic/video with your favorite all-time Suns jersey. ☀️ pic.twitter.com/usVYCgsOGW – 6:00 PM

Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Down went Phoenix. Up next, the Jazz.
Says Marcus Morris Sr., who’s been lights out lately: “Utah’s a great team, a veteran team. Been around each other for a long time, so it’s gonna be another dogfight. Should be fun.”
ocregister.com/2021/12/14/cli… – 5:56 PM

Greg Brown @gb3elite
It’s Game Day #RipCity pic.twitter.com/gvwl8PsqXj – 5:27 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Who was your favorite artist growing up?
Here’s what the guys listened to when they were kids! 🎶
@Ticketmaster | #ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/aP8Itw4Hti – 5:22 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
𝘿𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙀𝙍, 𝘿𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙍 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘿𝙍𝙄𝙋
The first 700 fans who donate a $50+ toy or $50+ worth of non-perishable food items will get access to The Old Fashioned event, a ticket to Suns vs Wizards & a piece of Warren Lotas apparel!
More Info: https://t.co/TDQLtN8MHA pic.twitter.com/vHf8RzQRJB – 4:57 PM

NBA Math @NBA_Math
🗣NEW @HardwoodKnocks
The Future of the Blazers with @tcbbiggs
🔘 Joe Cronin (4:55)
🔘 Dame (21:42)
🔘 CJ (32:53)
🔘 Nurkic/RoCo (41:45)
🔘 The defense (46:15)
🔘 Nassir Little (53:35)
🔘 Trades (1:02:14)
🎧 https://t.co/CjPZxfhgvi
SUBSCRIBE
https://t.co/9QmXcb5rL7
MORE⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Dl6hUldeKB – 4:35 PM

Darren Heitner @DarrenHeitner
The 3rd edition of my book, How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know is here‼️ pic.twitter.com/H6DacCg6VQ – 4:19 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns list Deandre Ayton as questionable for tonight. Jalen Smith remains out, and Chandler Hutchison is on a G League assignment with Santa Cruz – 4:10 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Deandre Ayton (non-COVID illness) is questionable for tonight’s Suns game in Portland. Devin Booker (left hamstring strain), Abdel Nader (right knee injury management) and Jalen Smith (non-COVID illness) remain out. Chandler Hutchison was also transferred back to the G League. – 4:03 PM