Absolute Brick Fest in Phoenix: Suns Collapse Without Booker!
Heartbreak hit the desert hard on January 25, 2026. The short-handed Phoenix Suns, missing superstar Devin Booker and key pieces, fought like warriors but drowned in an ocean of missed threes — going a brutal 7-for-35 from deep — as the Miami Heat escaped with a 111-102 victory.
Heat Capitalize on Tired Legs and Suns’ Woes
Coming off a blowout win in Utah just 24 hours earlier, Miami looked gassed early. But they exploded with a 16-2 run in the first quarter, jumping to a 32-21 lead behind Bam Adebayo’s dominance and Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s playmaking. The Suns clawed back, even tying it briefly in the second, but Miami carried a 58-48 edge into halftime.
The third quarter delivered pure drama: Phoenix battled within striking distance, capped by Isaiah Livers draining a wild near-halfcourt three at the buzzer to make it 82-77. Suns fans erupted — hope was alive!
The Final Dagger: Heat Pull Away in Fourth
But the fourth belonged to Miami. Norman Powell grabbed boards and buckets for a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds), while Jaquez Jr. sliced through for 20 points and 6 assists. Adebayo dropped 22 as the Heat pushed the lead to 18 before cruising to the nine-point win.
- Top Heat Scorers: Bam Adebayo 22 PTS, Jaime Jaquez Jr. 20 PTS 6 AST, Norman Powell 16 PTS 10 REB
- Suns’ Lone Bright Spot: Dillon Brooks poured in 26 PTS, but Grayson Allen bricked his way to 18 (4-18 FG, 1-11 3PT)
- Team Rebounds: Heat dominated the glass 59-56
- Shooting Nightmare: Suns 37% FG, Heat 42% — both teams ice cold from three
Miami finishes their grueling five-game road trip 3-2 and sweeps the season series. For Phoenix, starting a homestand with a loss without their stars — the questions are mounting. Is this the start of a spiral?
