Phoenix Suns keep beating the odds, top Vegas win projection
· Yahoo Sports
PORTLAND — The Phoenix Suns have made a habit of proving doubters wrong this season, and on Tuesday night, they reached a milestone that wasn’t predicted for them during the preseason.
Feb 3, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
The Suns secured their 31st win of the season with a hard-fought 130-125 comeback victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, highlighted by a standout performance from Collin Gillespie, who scored 30 points. While the win didn’t come easily, it marked yet another moment this season in which Phoenix competed relentlessly until the final whistle.
The victory also pushed the Suns past their preseason Vegas win projection, making them the first NBA team this season to surpass that mark, according to Suns digital writer Shane Young.
While projected win totals are often used to measure expectations, roster construction, and organizational direction, those numbers ultimately didn’t matter for Phoenix. Despite lineup changes, injuries, and early-season inconsistency, the Suns have done more than enough to prove those expectations wrong.
Feb 3, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) dribbles the ball in between Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) and forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
Those 31 wins include multiple comeback victories — such as Tuesday’s win against Portland — major upsets, including one against the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, and dominant performances against conference foes like the Los Angeles Lakers. In a tightly contested conference, every game carries weight for playoff positioning and tiebreaker leverage.
Phoenix’s ability to close out games has kept the team firmly in the postseason mix.
Feb 3, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) defends Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
The milestone also reinforces confidence in a group that faced heavy skepticism entering the season. Preseason projections, while useful, rarely account for factors that don’t appear on a stat sheet. Chemistry, internal development, and opportunity often lead to breakthroughs, and all have played a role in the Suns exceeding expectations.
Vegas lines define probability, but they are not absolute.
The Suns return home to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Collin Gillespie joins rare NBA company with Suns victory over Trail Blazers