The Phoenix Suns didn’t just win — they asserted themselves. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, they outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 111-102, extending their winning streak to three games and moving to 11-6 on the season. The victory wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And in the NBA, that’s often the difference between good and great.

Brooks Leads the Charge, Booker Keeps It Together

Dillon Brooks didn’t just show up — he made a statement. The Suns’ shooting guard dropped a team-high 25 points, hitting four clutch three-pointers, adding three rebounds and two steals. His defense? Unrelenting. Highlights showed him smothering Spurs ball-handlers, switching seamlessly, and never letting up. "No matter how many times he swings the ball back and forth, just smothering defense," one commentator noted. When he buried a deep three late in the fourth, the arena erupted. It wasn’t just a shot — it was a statement to the Western Conference.

Devin Booker wasn’t shooting well — 7-for-18 from the field, 2-for-6 from deep — but he was smart. He dished out seven assists, kept the offense flowing, and made the right reads when the Spurs collapsed on Brooks. He didn’t need to be the hero. He just needed to be the conductor. And he was.

Spurs Fight, But Wembanyama’s Absence Is Felt

De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 24 points and five rebounds, playing through fatigue and frustration. But without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ defensive anchor and offensive threat, they lacked a true interior presence. Wembanyama, sidelined for "a few more weeks" with a lingering lower-body issue, missed his second straight game against Phoenix. The Spurs’ offense, which had been fluid in early November, now looks disjointed without him. "He’s the engine," one analyst said on YouTube highlights. "Take him out, and you’re just hoping someone else steps up. No one did tonight."

Even Harrison Barnes, who hit a beautiful running hook over Suns center Jalen Smith, couldn’t carry the load. And when Stephon Castle — referred to as "Sohan" in the broadcast — grabbed Booker on a drive and got no call, it summed up the Spurs’ night: close, but not quite.

Phoenix’s Depth Shines Amid Injuries

The Suns were missing Ryan Dunn (left wrist), forcing Jordan Goodwin into the starting lineup. Goodwin didn’t light up the stat sheet — just 6 points and 4 rebounds — but he brought energy, defense, and toughness. He’s not a scorer, but he’s exactly what Phoenix needed: a glue guy.

And then there was Royce O’Neal. The undersized forward grabbed a critical offensive rebound in the final minutes, then blocked a Spurs layup attempt that would’ve cut the lead to three. It was the kind of play that doesn’t show up on highlight reels — but wins games.

A Season Series Sweep in the Making

This was the Suns’ second win over the Spurs this season. On November 2, 2025, they crushed them 130-118 in the same arena, with Booker dropping 28 and the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama having what ESPN called an "off night." Now, Phoenix holds both matchups. The Spurs, who started the season 11-4, have lost two straight — both to Phoenix. Their 11-5 record still looks solid, but the pattern is clear: without Wembanyama, they can’t beat elite teams.

What This Means for the West

The Suns sit at 11-6, tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for fourth in the West, but just 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers (12-4). They’re playing with confidence, depth, and defensive grit — the exact traits that win in the playoffs.

For the Spurs, it’s a reality check. They’re still in the playoff hunt, but their ceiling just got lower. Wembanyama’s return — whenever it comes — will be the biggest storyline in San Antonio. Until then, they’re just hoping to survive.

What’s Next?

The Suns head to Dallas on Tuesday for a showdown with the Mavericks, who are 13-3 and hungry. The Spurs, meanwhile, host the Timberwolves — a team they beat in October — but without Wembanyama, even that feels risky.

One thing’s certain: Phoenix isn’t just winning games. They’re sending a message.