Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns won the tip vs. the Philadelphia 76ers and got to work quickly with a Collin Gillespie 3-pointer. That wasn’t a sneak peak of what was to come, as Phoenix would miss 18 straight 3-pointers that put them in a hole early vs. Philadelphia. The Sixers were up as much as 16 points in the first half, as the Suns shot 16% from beyond the arc on 25 attempts.
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A late, little rally shrunk the deficit a little bit, but Phoenix has its work cut out for them in the second half down 58-47.
Suns survive terrible shooting slump in 1st quarter:
Booker’s return didn’t start ideally for the four-time All-Star. The 28-year-old started 0-3 to lead Phoenix shooting 1-13 from beyond the arc and 7-21 overall. Guard Collin Gillespie made the team’s first 3, which was followed by 12 straight misses. The Suns ran multiple screens to give Booker open looks but couldn’t knock it down, leading to the 76ers to jump to an early lead.
Jan 11, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after suffering an injury against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
All five of the Philadelphia starters scored within the first six minutes, including Joel Embiid going 3-3 from the field for eight points. The group played with impressive pace that caused them to have Phoenix scrambling. The 76ers jumped to a quick five point lead to force their opponent to call a quick timeout.
Head coach Jordan Ott knew he needed a jump off the bench and put in the returning Jalen Green. On his first offensive possession, Green found center Mark Williams on the block with a mismatch of Kelly Oubre on him, leading to an and-one opportunity. The 23-year-old did most of the scoring too, leading his club with six points at the end of one.
Feb 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) grabs a rebound against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix were able to punch back to tie the game, but Philadelphia’s rebounding was causing some trouble. Embiid had five rebounds in the first quarter alone, as Oubre led the Sixers with two of their five offensive rebounds in the frame. Despite only allowing four second chance points, the Suns needed to clean up before it got out of hand. At the end of the first quarter 76ers led 24-22.
2nd quarter:
May 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and center Joel Embiid (21) shake hands after defeating the Boston Celtics in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers started the next frame on a 18-6 run that was fueled by Oubre and guard Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 21 of the team’s first 42 points early in the 2nd quarter. Phoenix offensive struggles and lack of pressure on the offensive glass gave Philadelphia easy points off the break. The Suns couldn’t match the pace and found themselves down double digits early, 42-28.
Dillon Brooks finally broke the cold streak beyond the arc by making a 3-pointer at the 5:35 mark in the 2nd quarter. Phoenix missed 18 straight three-point attempts and found themselves down 16, as Maxey continued his dominance with 14 first half points.
Jan 11, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott watches guard Devin Booker (1) against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Under a minute restriction, Booker had to make his minutes count, which he did in his second stint. three tough jumpers, including a fadeaway deep on the right side of the baskets started to get his mojo back, bringing his total to seven points.
After a 1-19 start from the perimeter, Phoenix made three straight 3s to chip away a the deficit. Despite the run, Embiid’s friendly whistle gave him eight free throw attempts in the second quarter and boosted his point total to 17 in the first half. Luckily for the Suns, after horrendous shooting half, found themselves only down 58-47.
Suns vs. 76ers 2/7 preview, betting odds and injury report
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
