Suns’ defense keeps sinking, losing streak hits 4 vs. Blazers
The Phoenix Suns' 1-5 start has its fair share of problems, but none of them are nearly as pressing as the defensive issues that continued in Wednesday's loss.
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The Phoenix Suns' 1-5 start has its fair share of problems, but none of them are nearly as pressing as the defensive issues that continued in Wednesday's loss.
The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns 132-119 to improve to 6-1, but lose reserve guard Vit Krejci to a leg fracture suffered while defending Miles Bridges late in the third quarter. Coach Micah Nori confirms the broken leg will likely sideline the 26-year-old Czech sharpshooter for months, adding to a guard injury list that already includes Ja Morant (hamstring) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee surgery). Krejci, who averages 10.1 minutes and 20% three‑point shooting this season, faces a lengthy rehab as the Blazers navigate a depleted backcourt.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg ignites controversy after claiming he “lost all respect” for Luka Doncic, prompting coach Steve Kerr to temper his fire on "Inside the NBA." Kerr praised Lendeborg’s competitiveness but warned he must back it up, especially after Doncic drops 37 points and six threes in the rematch. The Pacific roundup also notes Kerr’s silence on Kristaps Porzingis’ uncertain status, Lakers forward Adou Thiero edging toward a season debut after G‑League practice, and Suns forward Rasheer Fleming missing Wednesday’s game with a rolled ankle that’s likely day‑to‑day.
Portland extends its perfect road streak with a 132-119 win over Phoenix, improving to 6-1 and seizing first place in the West after Memphis and Houston falter. Damian Lillard tops the Blazers with 25 points and five assists, while Deni Avdija nearly posts a triple-double (21 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds). Rookie Donovan Clingan delivers a breakout 24‑point, 11‑board night, and Jrue Holiday adds 15 points on 5‑of‑9 three‑pointers. The Suns' Devin Booker scores a game‑high 33, but Portland’s 27 assists and balanced attack overwhelm them. Vit Krejci suffers a lower‑leg fracture late in the third quarter.
The Phoenix Suns fall to the Portland Trail Blazers 132-119 on Nov. 5, slipping to a 1-5 start despite Devin Booker's 33 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Even without Ja Morant, Portland exploits Phoenix's defensive lapses, dominating the paint and hitting open threes while the Suns struggle to protect the rim and close out shooters. The loss follows a 124-83 opening‑game defeat and highlights lingering chemistry and identity issues for a revamped roster. While Booker’s scoring and improved rebounding offer a glimpse of promise, the Suns need urgent defensive cohesion to avoid a disastrous start to the Western Conference season.
The Phoenix Suns tumble to a 1-5 start after a 132-119 defeat at home to the Portland Trail Blazers, who improve to 6-1 and 5-0 on the road. Devin Booker scores a solid 33 points, perfect from the line (13‑13), but goes 2‑for‑8 from three and records just two assists. Jalen Green adds 22, also 2‑for‑8 from deep, while Miles Bridges chips in 18. Portland dominates the paint (56‑46), second‑chance points (17‑11), fast breaks (19‑9) and bench scoring (42‑25), with Donovan Clingan posting 24/10 and Damian Lillard 25. The Blazers hit 14 threes at 35.9%, compared to the Suns’ 10 at 27.8%, sealing another loss for Phoenix.
The Dallas Cowboys sit 3-5 in the 2026 season, largely due to a porous defense. Despite a standout performance from defensive tackle Quinnen Williams—who has recorded five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 29 total tackles—Dallas struggled to contain the Arizona Cardinals, a team that rarely scores 30+ points, yet managed 33 to beat the Cowboys. Williams admitted his unit’s failures, saying he’s partly responsible for fourth‑quarter touchdowns and run‑stop lapses. The Cowboys hope to rebound in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Vit Krejci suffers a lower‑leg fracture after a collision with Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges in the third quarter of the 132‑119 Blazers win on Nov. 4, 2026. Krejci, who had 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 12 minutes, left the game and was helped off the floor, with coach Micah Nori confirming the injury in the post‑game press conference. The win lifts Portland to a 6‑1 record early in the season.
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Devin Booker erupts for 33 points against the Portland Trail Blazers before exiting on a fast‑break when Robert Williams III’s block appears to strike his face. The injury scare worries Phoenix, as Booker had already contributed nearly half of the Suns’ total. He returns later in the game, but the squad leans on Miles Bridges and Jalen Green to maintain the offensive push. The Suns aim to bounce back in a back‑to‑back against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, while fans wonder if Booker’s issue is minor or more serious.
Sharp Football Analysis’s Week 9 Worksheet highlights the Cardinals‑Seahawks clash as a fantasy showdown. Seattle dominates the matchup, holding a 5‑0 record (including ATS) over Arizona and boasting a league‑best 1.60 points‑per‑drive allowed. The Seahawks’ defense forces punts on 46.2% of possessions and limits big plays, while Arizona struggles, trailing by double digits on 31.4% of its offensive snaps. QB Drew Lock returns for Seattle as a streaming QB2 after a 3‑TD, 235‑yard performance in Week 2, while Arizona’s Gardner Minshew is a low‑end QB2 after a surprise 19.2‑point outing. Expect Seattle’s defense to suppress scoring, making Lock the more attractive fantasy start.
After a 33-30 overtime loss to Arizona left the Dallas Cowboys at 3-5 in Week 9, critics are urging the dismissal of head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Former Cowboys star Dez Bryant took to X on November 5, suggesting 11‑time Pro Bowler Jason Witten as a replacement if owner Jerry Jones decides to act. Bryant highlights Witten’s 16‑year playing career (255 games, 1,215 receptions, 72 TDs) and recent coaching success, including state titles at Liberty Christian School and his interim offensive coordinator role with the Oklahoma Sooners following a staff shake‑up. The article examines whether Witten’s emerging coaching résumé could make him a viable Cowboys head coach.
Week 8 proved mixed for former Minnesota Gophers in the NFL. The biggest headline is Dallas tight end Brevyn Spann‑Ford emerging as the Cowboys’ TE1, hauling in four catches for 31 yards in an overtime loss to the Cardinals. Antoine Winfield Jr. returns to the Packers’ secondary after a stint on the IR, while rookie Terell Smith makes his Steelers debut on special teams. The stretch was marred by a season‑ending elbow injury to safety Eric Murray (Ravens) and a bye for the Texans. Other notable performances include Jack Gibbons’ 11 tackles for Arizona and Madrid Boye Mafe’s sack and forced fumble for Cincinnati. The recap covers each Gopher‑linked player’s snap counts, stats, and injury updates.
The Seahawks head into Sunday’s NFC West showdown with the Cardinals battling a slew of injuries. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams misses practice with a stinger, while nose tackle Brandon Pili is out with a back injury, weakening the run defense against Arizona’s Tyler Allgeier. Backup quarterback Drew Lock, limited by a right elbow, is slated to start after Sam Darnold’s injury, but a further setback could push rookie Jalen Milroe into his NFL debut. The offensive line is also shorthanded, with guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Josh Jones limited. Arizona limits wideout Michael Wilson (rib injury) and DT Walter Nolen (ankle), while backup RB Bam Knight sits with a concussion.
Phoenix Suns enter their second meeting with Portland still haunted by a 41‑point loss in the season opener. Guard Jordan Ott says the defeat serves as a benchmark for improvement, stressing better defense, aggression and execution as the team claws its way back into contention. With Portland missing Ja Morant due to a hamstring strain, the Suns hope to capitalize on a weakened Blazer offense that still features Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson and freshman big Donovan Clingan. Ott stresses staying focused on full‑game effort rather than dwelling on the early blowout.
The Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was demoted to third‑string by the Arizona Cardinals just days after starting a game. The move comes as Baltimore deals with injuries to star QB Lamar Jackson (thumb) and backup Tyler Huntley (toe), leaving the team scrambling for a starter ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brissett, who struggled against the Dallas Cowboys before being replaced by Gardner Minshew, could soon lead the Ravens’ offense, though he won’t be eligible for the upcoming game.
Two Diamondbacks prospects will represent the team during the Arizona Fall League version of the All-Star Game.
The Arizona Cardinals install Gardner Minshew as starter after a recent win, trade Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore and promote rookie Carson Beck to backup, with head coach Mike LaFleur confident Beck is ready if called upon. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams praise rookie tight end Max Klare for solid blocking and route work, according to Sean McVay. In Seattle, new head coach Mike Macdonald stresses the need to revert to the Super Bowl‑winning style that defined the Seahawks last season, urging a return to their core identity.
The SnakePit Awards shortlist for 2026 Play of the Year shines on six Arizona Diamondbacks moments. Highlights include Ryan Waldschmidt’s pinch‑hit, walk‑off two‑run homer that lifted D‑backs past the Cubs 5‑4 on Aug. 25, and Gabriel Moreno’s laser throw that nabbed Shohei Ohtani at second base. Outfield marvels feature Corbin Carroll’s Statcast‑rated five‑star catch and Alek Thomas’s diving grab. Nolan Arenado earns a nod for a crafty double play, while a chaotic 6‑2 double play involving Gerald Perdomo rounds out the list. Each play showcases clutch defense or offense that defined the D‑backs’ season.
Wednesday's game marks the first of the Suns' back-to-back matchups against the Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
The Portland Trail Blazers (5-1) face the Phoenix Suns (1-4) on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. PT in a matchup that follows an opening‑night loss to Phoenix. Key injuries for Portland include Ja Morant, Shaedon Sharpe, Jayson Kent and John Tonje (all out), while the Suns list Jordan Goodwin as questionable and Mark Williams out. Fans can watch on Rip City Television, stream via BlazerVision (OR/WA) or League Pass, and listen on Rip City Radio 620 AM. The post also outlines game‑day thread rules for respectful discussion.
With seven straight games at home, the Suns have an opportunity to get their season back on track.
James Conner has not been ruled out to return this season, but the Cardinals are not planning on him being back this week.
The Cleveland Browns are eyeing tight end upgrades before the NFL trade deadline, with Dallas Goedert (Eagles) and Tip Reiman (Cardinals) listed as top candidates. While edge‑rusher depth has improved thanks to free‑agent additions like Sam Williams and Derek Barnett, the team sees a more urgent need for reliable blocking and depth at tight end to protect the run game and free up existing options. Front office officials stress any deal must preserve long‑term assets, favoring players with multi‑year control. The analysis, sourced from CBS Sports' Josh Edwards, outlines the cost and fit considerations as the deadline approaches.
Trade talks around second baseman Ketel Marte heat up as the Arizona Diamondbacks grow eager to move him. MLB insider reports, echoed by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale on the Foul Territory podcast, suggest the Tampa Bay Rays could re‑enter the mix, while Boston also shows interest. Marte, on a $15 million‑a‑year contract with $85 million remaining, posted a .249 line with 22 homers, 76 RBIs and a .748 OPS in 2026, but off‑field issues—including a summer no‑show incident and a recent IL stint—have soured his standing in Phoenix. With a five‑and‑10 no‑trade clause, his destination remains uncertain, though the Rays appear the likeliest suitor.