RealGM Basketball Wiretap

03 February 2026

• How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns NBA game: Tip-off time, cable channels, livestream providers, international coverage

  As the league approaches its mid-season showcase in Los Angeles, the February 3 encounter between the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center stands as a definitive case study in roster resilience and coaching innovation. This matchup, featured as the high-profile nightcap of the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock, represents more than a regional rivalry; it is also a battle for playoff positioning in the tightly contest Western Conference. For the Phoenix Suns, the contest offers a chance to validate their standing as a top-tier defensive unit under first-year head coach Jordan Ott. For the Portland Trail Blazers, the evening is a desperate attempt to arrest a five-game losing slide and maintain their precarious hold on a play-in spot amidst a looming ownership change.

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  The Suns enter the February 3 matchup with a record of 30-20, currently positioning them as the seventh seed in a West. Their performances have exceeded preseason expectations so far, which looked turbulent to say the least following the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the previous year. Under Ott's leadership, the Suns have undergone a profound identity shift, transitioning from a star-heavy offensive model to a disciplined, defensive-first system that prioritizes turnovers and transition opportunities.

  The Trail Blazers on the other hand, are currently sitting at 23-27 and occupying the tenth position in the Western Conference. After a resurgent start to the month of January 2026, when they posted a 9-2 record and appeared to be a rising force in the conference, the Blazers have entered a significant downturn. They are currently "reeling" from a five-game losing streak, characterized by inconsistent offense and an inability to contain opponents' scoring runs. The centerpiece of Portland's season has been the historic breakout of Deni Avdija. The 25-year-old forward was recently named an All-Star reserve, making him the first Israeli player in NBA history to earn the honor.

  How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns internationally

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  Expected Starting Lineups

  The projected starting lineup for the Phoenix Suns includes Collin Gillespie at point guard, who leads all active players on the team with 13.5 points and 3.0 made three-pointers per game. Grayson Allen starts at shooting guard following a balanced 23-point, 8-assist performance against the Clippers, while Dillon Brooks serves as the small forward hub after winning Western Conference Player of the Week honors. The frontcourt features veteran floor-spacer Royce O'Neale at power forward and Mark Williams at center, who anchors the unit with team-leading averages of 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per contest.

  The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to start Caleb Love at point guard following his team-high 21-point outing against Cleveland, paired with Shaedon Sharpe at shooting guard, who has served as the primary scoring engine averaging 22.9 points over his last ten games. Toumani Camara will likely start at small forward, contributing a consistent 2.5 made three-pointers per game. The frontcourt is bolstered by the presence of veteran Jerami Grant at power forward and rookie Donovan Clingan at center, who currently ranks third in the NBA with 11.1 rebounds per game.

  Head-to-Head Encounters

  In their most recent matchup on November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 127-110, covering as a 1.5-point favorite in a game that exceeded the point total. Earlier in the 2024-25 season, the teams split a high-scoring series in Portland; on February 3, 2025, the Blazers secured a 121-119 overtime victory as 5-point underdogs, which followed a 127-108 Portland win on February 1 where they also covered a 5-point spread.

  Phoenix found more success at the Footprint Center late in 2024, recording a 116-109 victory on December 15 and a 103-97 win on November 2, though the Blazers covered double-digit spreads in both of those contests.

• Blazers Trying To Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  The Portland Trail Blazers have emerged with interest in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell Jake Fischer. Because the Blazers control the first round picks of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2028, 2029 and 2030 due to the Damian Lillard trade, they have long been rumored to potentially get involved in any trade of Antetokounmpo. If the Bucks enter an extended rebuild, they would be incentivized to try to reacquire those first round picks.

  Instead of being facilitators, however, the Blazers would like to acquire Antetokounmpo for themselves. Portland is considered to be right behind the frequently cited Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves of the teams with the strongest trade deadline interest in Antetokounmpo.

  "I've heard it from various sources," said Fischer on a Monday livestream. "We reported it on Saturday morning as well that the Blazers themselves are trying to get into the mix to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to Portland, to play alongside his former teammate Damian Lillard, who of course has been someone who's been trying to make this happen behind the scenes."

  The Blazers have matching salary for Antetokounmpo built around Jerami Grant and can offer Scoot Henderson as a potential second draft candidate for the Bucks. Antetokounmpo could also reunite with Jrue Holiday, but he does not appear to have interest in the Blazers' scenario.

  "We've been told also pretty categorically that Giannis does not want to go to Portland," added Fischer.

• Scoot Henderson Close To Making Season Debut

  Portland Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson is closing in on making his season debut. Portland head coach Tiago Splitter said that Henderson is "very, very close" to returning to the lineup.

  The third-year guard has missed the entire season to date after suffering a left hamstring tear in the leadup to the season. The Trail Blazers have not put a specific timeline on Henderson's return, but recently said Henderson was in the final stages of his recovery from the injury.

  Portland has put themselves into contention for a spot in the Play-In Tournament despite having several injuries at the guard position. Jrue Holiday has played in only 21 of 49 games, while Henderson and Damian Lillard have missed the entire season. Henderson's return, combined with Holiday being available, should bring stability to the lead guard spot.

• NBA All-Star Reserves Include LeBron James, Six First-Time All-Stars

  The NBA named the 2026 All-Star reserves as voted on by the NBA coaches.

  Eastern Conference

  • Scottie Barnes - Toronto Raptors
  • Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons
  • Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
  • Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Norman Powell - Miami Heat
  • Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers
  • Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks

  Western Conference

  • Deni Avdija - Portland Trail Blazers
  • Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
  • Kevin Durant - Houston Rockets
  • Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets

  Avdija, Duren, Holmgren, Johnson, Murray and Powell are all first-time All-Stars. LeBron James was selected to a record 22nd All-Star team.

• Hawks Trade Vit Krejci To Blazers For Duop Reath, Two Second Round Picks

  The Atlanta Hawks are trading wing Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for center Duop Reath and two second-round picks. Atlanta will receive their own 2027 second-round pick back in the deal, as well as a 2030 New York Knicks second-round pick.

  Krejci's role in the Hawks rotation changed after the team acquired Corey Kispert in the deal that saw them also receive C.J. McCollum for Trae Young. On the season, Krejci has averaged a career-high 9.0 points pre game this season. He's shot 46.4% from the field, including 42.3% on 5.2 three-point attempts per game.

  Reath is out for the season following surgery to address a stress fracture in his foot. Atlanta may waive Reath to open a roster spot, potentially to convert Christian Koloko from his two-way contract.

• Blazers Interested In Acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo Vs Only Helping To Facilitate Trade

  The Portland Trail Blazers have been linked as a potential facilitator in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. However, Portland as let the Milwaukee Bucks know that they have some interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo themselves.

  Portland has both Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday on their roster, who the Bucks star enjoyed playing with in Milwaukee. The Blazers also have control of future Bucks first-round picks and swaps from 2028 through 2030.

  It's the draft capital that has had Portland linked to trades where Antetokounmpo lands elsewhere. In those constructions, the Trail Blazers would receive a player or two themselves, while routing the draft capital to the Bucks for a team that doesn't have sufficient draft assets of their own to offer.

• Duop Reath Out For Season Due To Stress Fracture In Right Foot

  Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath will miss the remainder of the season after a surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot. Reath is in the final year of his contract with the Trail Blazers and could be a restricted free agent this summer.

  Reath became a rotation regular for Portland as a rookie, appearing in 68 games with 20 starts. His role has been lessened over the last two seasons, as the Blazers have added young center Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen. This season Reath has appeared in 32 games and played just 8.1 minutes per contest.

• Knicks Interested In Jrue Holiday; Have Gauged Market For Karl-Anthony Towns

  The New Yorks Knicks are interested in acquiring Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  Holiday, who is in the second year of a four-year, $134 million contract, has appeared in 18 games this season.

  The Knicks are interested in pairing Holiday with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt, along with the potential that adding Holiday would make the team even more attractive to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  Teams around the league also believe that the Knicks are open to "some degree" in trading Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks have reportedly gauged teams for Towns' value on the trade market despite denying that they have held discussions involving the center.

  James Dolan previously ruled out making any major moves before the deadline.

  Instead, the Knicks are focused on making smaller deals involving Guerschon Yabusele's $5.5 million salary.

• Deni Avdija Opens Up About Path To Breakout Season

  Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is averaging 26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game this season, joining Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic as the only players posting 25-7-6 averages. The 25-year-old Israeli has emerged as a frontrunner for Most Improved Player and finished fifth in Western Conference All-Star fan voting with over 2.2 million votes.

  Avdija attributes his breakout to empowerment from former coach Chauncey Billups, chemistry with teammates who celebrate his success, and primarily the mental toughness forged during his teenage years with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

  "I think I'm able to get through stuff without complaining or feeling sorry for myself," Avdija said. "I've learned I can't have any excuses. But I think from a young age, I've always had to figure it out on my own. And I think that has made me tough."

  Playing alongside grown men as a teenager, Avdija endured relentless criticism from coaches and teammates that often left him emotionally drained. The constant pressure built resilience he now relies upon.

  "It all made me tough - like, really, really tough," Avdija said. "You know how you run a lot and your feet start to get thick skin on them? It was like that."

  His transformation accelerated after a December 2024 meeting with Billups, who simplified his role by encouraging him to push pace in transition after securing rebounds. Avdija averaged 24.9 points over the final two months of last season.

  This year's emergence came partly by necessity. Injuries to point guards Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday forced interim coach Tiago Splitter to hand Avdija primary ballhandling responsibilities, a position he previously played in Israel's youth system.

  "People have to understand: He is just carrying us," Splitter said. "And he's doing it playing a different position."

  Avdija ranks second in the NBA in free throws made with 325, sixth in points, and eighth in assists. He has scored 20 or more points 34 times, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (42), Tyrese Maxey (36), and Jaylen Brown (34). The Blazers sit ninth in the Western Conference at 22-22.

  His production comes on one of the league's most team-friendly contracts. Avdija is in the second year of a four-year, $55 million deal that declines annually. He earns $14.4 million this season, $13.1 million next year, and $11.8 million in 2027-28.

  "Do I regret the contract? No. It gave me a lot of calmness, because I know I'm secure," Avdija said. "That was my goal. I told my agent, and he was like, 'I think you should sign for less years,' but I was like, 'If I outplay my contract, I outplay my contract. We will deal with that later.' I'm not going to worry about $10 million more or $20 million less. This is what I got, and I'm going to say thank you and not take it for granted. It's still a lot of money."

  Damian Lillard, sidelined this season with an Achilles injury, called Avdija essential to Portland's future and a perfect complement to his game.

  "I think he is a must-have player in the league right now," Lillard said. "He puts pressure on the rim, draws fouls, can make 3s, has size, speed."

  Avdija has become a national phenomenon in Israel, where games attract viewership even when Portland tips off at 5 a.m. local time. Former coach Oded Shalom believes Avdija has become Israel's greatest athlete in history.

• Jrue Holiday To Return Sunday; Kris Murray Out Indefinitely

  The Portland Trail Blazers are welcoming one key player back to the lineup on Sunday, while another one will be out indefinitely. Jrue Holiday is expected to return for the Blazers on Sunday vs the New York Knicks. Kris Murray was ruled out indefinitely due to a lumbar strain in his back.

  Holiday is returning from a calf strain that cost him nearly two months of action. Portland will benefit from having the veteran point guard in the lineup. In recent weeks, Tiago Splitter has had to piece together ballhandling duties, with Deni Avdija taking on the lead playmaking role. Rookie two-way player Caleb Love has been backing up Avdija. Holiday's return should help with extra ballhandling, playmaking, defense and shooting in the backcourt.

  Murray has recently started in place Jerami Grant who is dealing with Achilles' tendonitis. The third-year forward has averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

  Portland is still without Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley on long-term injuries, in addition to Grant and now Murray. Damian Lillard is out for the season as he rehabs from a torn Achilles' tendon. Robert Williams III has been in and out of the lineup, as the team manages chronic knee issues for the big man.