Game ID: 22500448
Phoenix Suns @ Washington Wizards
Monday, December 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
WAS 23 31 25 22 101PHX 22 39 26 28 115
PHX @ WAS ScoutingPHX @ WAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
WAS availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backOUT Kispert missed 9 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Cooper missed 8 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Sarr back 12/18 after 6, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Coulibaly back 12/18 after 4, 23 min since (86% of 26)
BACK Middleton back 12/20 after 4, 22 min since (91% of 24)
BACK Johnson back 12/12 after 7, 19 min since (81% of 24)
BACK Gill back 12/18 after 2, 0 min since (2% of 17)
NEW George 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Carrington 28 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Bagley III 19 to 25 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Coulibaly missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 23 min (89% of 26)
OUT Kispert missed 10 since 11/28, returns tonight: 13 min (69% of 20)
OUT Cooper missed 9 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 6 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Sarr back 12/18 after 6, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Middleton back 12/20 after 4, 22 min since (91% of 24)
BACK Johnson back 12/12 after 7, 21 min since (86% of 24)
BACK Gill back 12/18 after 2, 2 min since (14% of 17)
NEW George 29 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Carrington 28 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Bagley III 19 to 26 min over the last 4
WAS availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Cooper missed 10 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 7 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Sarr back 12/18 after 6, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Coulibaly back 12/18 after 4, 23 min since (88% of 26)
BACK Middleton back 12/20 after 4, 22 min since (91% of 24)
BACK Kispert back 12/23 after 10, 13 min since (69% of 20)
BACK Gill back 12/18 after 2, 2 min since (14% of 17)
NEW George 29 to 35 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT Cooper missed 11 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 8 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Sarr back 12/18 after 6, 25 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Coulibaly back 12/18 after 4, 24 min since (92% of 26)
BACK Middleton back 12/20 after 4, 21 min since (87% of 24)
BACK Kispert back 12/23 after 10, 13 min since (69% of 20)
BACK Gill back 12/18 after 2, 2 min since (14% of 17)
WAS availability going into 12/29 · back-to-backOUT Kispert missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Gill missed 2 since 12/26, returns tonight: 1 min (6% of 17)
OUT Cooper missed 12 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 9 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (99% of 26)
BACK Middleton back 12/20 after 4, 21 min since (88% of 24)
WAS availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 2 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Kispert missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Cooper missed 13 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 10 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 2 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (100% of 26)
BACK Gill back 12/29 after 2, 1 min since (6% of 17)
WAS availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 3 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Kispert missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Cooper missed 14 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 11 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 3 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (99% of 26)
BACK Gill back 12/29 after 2, 1 min since (6% of 17)
NEW Champagnie 20 to 25 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 4 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Watkins missed 2 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Kispert missed 5 since 12/26, returns tonight: 18 min (94% of 20)
OUT Gill missed 2 since 12/31, returns tonight: 5 min (30% of 17)
OUT Cooper missed 15 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 12 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 4 since 12/28, returns tonight: 13 min (96% of 14)
NEW Champagnie 20 to 26 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 5 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Watkins missed 3 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Cooper missed 16 since 12/01, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 13 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Kispert back 1/04 after 5, 18 min since (94% of 20)
BACK Gill back 12/29 after 2, 3 min since (18% of 17)
BACK Vukcevic back 1/04 after 4, 13 min since (96% of 14)
NEW Champagnie 20 to 25 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 17 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Fleming missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 32 min since (95% of 34)
PHX availability going into 12/23 · 2 days' restOUT Allen missed 2 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 18 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Fleming missed 3 since 12/14, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 33 min since (97% of 34)
PHX availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Allen missed 3 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 19 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 31 min since (93% of 34)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (84% of 12)
PHX availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Allen missed 4 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 20 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 32 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (87% of 12)
NEW Gillespie 28 to 34 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 5 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 21 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (101% of 12)
PHX availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 6 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 22 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Dunn missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 19 min (103% of 19)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (101% of 12)
PHX availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 7 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 23 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 12/31 after 2, 19 min since (103% of 19)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (87% of 12)
PHX availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 8 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 24 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 12/31 after 2, 19 min since (99% of 19)
PHX availability going into 1/05 · back-to-backOUT Allen missed 9 since 12/18, returns tonight: 22 min (78% of 28)
OUT Green missed 25 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 12/31 after 2, 19 min since (103% of 19)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 19 and George at 17 a game. Without Kispert (2 straight), Gill (2 straight), Cooper (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Allen (5 straight), Green (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 109 a night to Washington's 120 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to Washington's 11. Call it Phoenix 119, Washington 115, Washington keeping it close.
12/21 vs SAS 113-124 — WAS notes
WAS lost 113-124. WAS shot 44% (42 of 95) to SAS's 41%, 11 of 45 from three, and got to the line 24 times to SAS's 32. The glass went 43-61 against them. Carrington led with 21 (7 of 11, 4 of 6 from three); Johnson added 19, Vukcevic 18. Q3 was theirs, 37-29, the deficit cut from 20 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 95-76 against them. Branham's -19 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 @ CHA 109-126 — WAS notes
WAS lost 109-126. WAS shot 41% (40 of 97) to CHA's 45%, 10 of 35 from three. Middleton led with 16 (5 of 10, 1 of 3 from three); Bagley III added 15, McCollum 14. Q1 was theirs, 31-24, but the other 3 periods went 102-78 against them. They led by as many as 10. George's -20 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 vs TOR 138-117 — WAS notes
WAS won 138-117. WAS shot 59% (54 of 91) to TOR's 44%, 15 of 33 from three, and got to the line 18 times to TOR's 27. The glass went 46-33 for them. George led with 23 (9 of 13, 3 of 5 from three); McCollum added 21, Coulibaly 21. The hinge was Q4, 36-17: a lead of 2 became 21. Carrington was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/28 vs MEM 116-112 — WAS notes
WAS won 116-112. WAS shot 42% (42 of 99) to MEM's 42%, 8 of 33 from three. The glass went 54-43 for them. Sarr led with 20 (9 of 20, 1 of 6 from three); McCollum added 16, Coulibaly 14. The hinge was Q4, 32-24: WAS came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 4. Johnson was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
12/29 vs PHX 101-115 — WAS notes
WAS lost 101-115. WAS shot 46% (36 of 78) to PHX's 41%, 13 of 32 from three. WAS turned it over 15 times to PHX's 10, and PHX turned those into 8 steals. Johnson led with 24 (9 of 12, 5 of 5 from three); McCollum added 17, Coulibaly 13. Q1 was theirs, 23-22, but the other 3 periods went 93-78 against them. Sarr's -28 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/31 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 17 and Portis at 17 a game. Without Prince (25 straight), Nance (2 straight), Anthony (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; McCollum at 17 and Johnson at 16 a game. Without George (2 straight), Kispert (3 straight), Cooper (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 108 a night to Washington's 119. Call it Milwaukee 118, Washington 112.
1/02 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCollum at 17 and Johnson at 15 a game. Without George (3 straight), Kispert (4 straight), Cooper (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Thomas at 21 a game. Without Saraf (8 straight), Etienne (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 107 a night to Washington's 117 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to Washington's 13. Call it Washington 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/04 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 18 and Johnson at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without George (4 straight), Watkins (2 straight), Kispert (5 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Randle at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 111 a night to Minnesota's 121 and the glass, where Washington has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota plus-0. Call it Washington 118, Minnesota 117, Minnesota keeping it close.
1/06 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 18 and Johnson at 15 a game. Without George (5 straight), Watkins (3 straight), Cooper (16 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 29 free throws a game; Black at 25 and Banchero at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Washington giving it away 16 times a game to Orlando's 10 and the line, where Orlando takes 29 free throws a game to Washington's 20. Call it Orlando 118, Washington 116, Washington keeping it close.
12/20 @ GSW 116-119 — PHX notes
PHX lost 116-119. PHX shot 48% (42 of 88) to GSW's 46%, 12 of 35 from three. PHX turned it over 14 times to GSW's 20. The glass went 34-49 against them. Booker led with 38 (13 of 27, 2 of 7 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Brooks added 22, Gillespie 16. Q1 was theirs, 44-32, but the other 3 periods went 87-72 against them. They led by as many as 14. Williams's -15 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 vs LAL 132-108 — PHX notes
PHX won 132-108. PHX shot 59% (50 of 85) to LAL's 48%, 14 of 34 from three, and got to the line 20 times to LAL's 29. Brooks led with 25 (10 of 15, 3 of 6 from three); Booker added 21, Williams 18. The hinge was Q3, 45-29: a lead of 10 became 26, and the lead reached 32. Gillespie was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/26 @ NOP 115-108 — PHX notes
PHX won 115-108. PHX shot 48% (44 of 91) to NOP's 44%, 8 of 40 from three, and got to the line 25 times to NOP's 42. PHX turned it over 17 times to NOP's 12, and NOP turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 52-38 for them. Booker led with 30 (10 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Williams added 24, Gillespie 16. The hinge was Q4, 34-28: a lead of 1 became 7. Booker was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/27 @ NOP 123-114 — PHX notes
PHX won 123-114. PHX shot 46% (45 of 98) to NOP's 44%, 20 of 44 from three, and got to the line 19 times to NOP's 33. The glass went 55-43 for them. Booker led with 20 (6 of 18, 3 of 9 from three, 5 of 8 at the line); Brooks added 18, Gillespie 17. The hinge was Q2, 33-22: PHX came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 10. Ighodaro was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
12/29 @ WAS 115-101 — PHX notes
PHX won 115-101. PHX shot 41% (41 of 101) to WAS's 46%, 17 of 40 from three. PHX turned it over 10 times to WAS's 15. Brooks led with 26 (8 of 20, 3 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Gillespie added 25, Booker 22. The hinge was Q2, 39-31: PHX came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 7, and the lead reached 17. Ighodaro was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/31 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Garland at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Allen (6 straight), Green (22 straight), Dunn (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-4 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Cleveland's 119. Call it Cleveland 118, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/02 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Allen (7 straight), Green (23 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 20 and Westbrook at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without LaVine (8 straight), Sabonis (20 straight), Plowden (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-6 a night and Sacramento minus-3 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 124. Call it Phoenix 122, Sacramento 109, Phoenix by 13.
1/04 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Brooks at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Allen (8 straight), Green (24 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Hartenstein (3 straight), J. Williams (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-6 a night and OKC plus-1. Call it OKC 116, Phoenix 114, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/05 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. Without Adams (2 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Allen (9 straight), Green (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and Phoenix plus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Phoenix's 110. Call it Houston 117, Phoenix 110.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXCG C. Gillespie
DB D. Booker
DB D. Brooks
IL I. Livers
JB J. Bouyea
JG J. Goodwin
NR N. Richards
OI O. Ighodaro
RF R. Fleming
RO R. O'Neale
WASAS A. Sarr
BC B. Carrington
BC B. Coulibaly
CM C. McCollum
JC J. Champagnie
JW J. Watkins
MB M. Bagley III
MB M. Branham
TJ T. Johnson
WR W. Riley
PHX/WAS the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Brooks, Gillespie lead streaking Suns past improving Wizards, 115-101
WASHINGTON -- — Dillon Brooks scored 26 points and Collin Gillespie added 25 to help the Phoenix Suns win their fourth game in a row, 115-101 over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Devin Booker added 22 points for the Suns, who have won five of their last six and the first three on a four-game road trip.
Phoenix sank 17 of 40 3-pointers (42.5%) and led Washington 20-9 in offensive rebounds while moving six games above .500 (19-13) for the first time this season.
This victory came without center Mark Williams , who served a one-game suspension for his role in an on-court altercation in Saturday’s 129-114 win at New Orleans.
Rookie Tre Johnson scored a career-high 24 points for Washington, which failed in its bid to win three straight for the first time since Feb 1-5.
CJ McCollum added 17 points for the rebuilding Wizards, who entered Monday with the NBA's second-worst record, but are 4-4 in their last eight.
Johnson surpassed his previous career high of 19 with a 3-pointer to open the third quarter, and Alex Sarr followed with a runner to close Washington's halftime deficit of seven to two.
The Suns answered with a 16-3 run to push their lead to 77-62. Royce O'Neale and Gillespie hit consecutive 3-pointers to complete the stretch.
Up next Suns: Close their road trip Wednesday in Cleveland.