The Phoenix Suns ended a four-game losing streak Thursday night, defeating the Orlando Magic 117-104 before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center, AZCentral reported. Devin Booker paced Phoenix with 30 points on 50% shooting from the field, going 4-of-8 from 3-point range and adding a game-high eight assists.
The victory improved the Suns to 2-5 on the season, while the Magic fell to 2-6. Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr. posted a double-double with 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 13 rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
Devin Booker Regains Scoring Rhythm
Booker has bounced back from a 3-point, 1-of-7 shooting night in an Oct. 26 loss at Oklahoma City to average 29.6 points on 47.4% shooting over his last three games. During that stretch, the five-time All-Star is 8-of-20 from 3, has made all 25 of his free throws and generated 15 assists against seven turnovers.
“We try to focus on ourselves, keep building,” Booker said. “Houston will be a great test for us Saturday.”
Suns coach Jordan Ott said the team’s fortunes rise and fall with his star guard. “We go as he goes,” Ott said. “He’s in a great place right now. We’ve got to keep him there. We know how important that is for all of us.”
Final Phoenix #Suns 117 Orlando Magic 104 Booker 30pts, Carter Jr. 27pts, Brooks 24pts, Bridges 18pts
Defense Shows Signs of Last Season’s Form
Phoenix held Orlando to a season-low 104 points after surrendering a season-high 132 in Wednesday’s loss to Portland. The Suns scored 36 points off 25 Magic turnovers and recorded 14 steals.
Carter acknowledged the miscues. “Honestly, we gave them the ball,” he said. “I don’t necessary think they did anything insane or anything crazy that was hard to guard. When you give the ball away 25 times, anybody has a chance to beat you.”
The Suns showed the improvement even with guard Jordan Goodwin still sidelined with a right calf injury, though the team faced an Orlando squad missing Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee).
Luke Kennard Returns to the 3-Point Line
Phoenix recorded its best 3-point shooting percentage of the season at 50% (17-of-34). Luke Kennard, who did not attempt a shot in 14 minutes against Portland, took eight attempts against Orlando and made four, including 3-of-6 from deep, while grabbing five rebounds.
Guard Collin Gillespie said the Suns want Kennard continuing to shoot even when looks are contested. “Everybody is encouraging everybody to shoot,” Gillespie said. “At the end of the day, it’s going to help us more if he’s taking those shots, if I’m taking those shots, it’ll open things up. Got to keep the defense honest. He’s got to continue to shoot. Everybody has extreme confidence in him when he gets the ball out of his hands.”
Jordan Ott Shifts Starting Center to Oso Ighodaro
Ott started Oso Ighodaro at center over Khaman Maluach, who had started the first six games. Both players posted similar numbers entering Thursday—Maluach at 7.3 points and six rebounds per game, Ighodaro at 7 points and 5.2 rebounds—but Ott wanted a different look after Maluach struggled against elite competition.
“Just think a little bit of a change up,” Ott said. “Overall, it’s all the same. It’s like 48 minutes of great center play. I thought, kind of moving Man-Man back, maybe more of his comfort zone.”
Ighodaro played 24 minutes and finished with two points, one assist and five rebounds, while Maluach added eight points and six rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. “Mindset doesn’t change whether I’m starting or not starting,” Maluach said.
Ighodaro acknowledged his own performance left room for improvement. “I didn’t feel like I played my best, honestly, but grateful it happened in a win for sure,” he said.
Suns Prepare for Houston Rockets Test
The Suns continue a seven-game homestand Saturday against the Houston Rockets (7-2), which will mark Kevin Durant’s second game in Phoenix since being traded to Houston before the 2025 draft. The matchup offers a measuring stick against one of the NBA’s hottest teams after Phoenix’s defensive struggles earlier in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Phoenix Suns play next?
The Suns host the Houston Rockets on Nov. 7 as part of a seven-game homestand at Mortgage Matchup Center.
When will Jordan Goodwin return from injury?
Goodwin remains sidelined with a right calf injury, and AZCentral reported no specific return date has been announced.
Will Khaman Maluach return to the starting lineup?
The competition remains open. AZCentral reported that Maluach could find himself starting again, as coach Jordan Ott has not committed to a permanent change at the center position.
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