Portland wasted no time reminding everybody what this season can feel like.
The Trail Blazers tore into the Phoenix Suns with a 21-0 run in the first six minutes and never gave that cushion back. By the time the dust settled, the result had turned into more than just a strong opener. For a franchise that spent the offseason surrounded by controversy, loss and uncertainty, it was the kind of night that the fanbase has been waiting for.
The mood inside the arena matched the score. With questions still hanging over the franchise’s future after its five-year lease at the Moda Center, the Suns game offered a sharp answer in real time: basketball still belongs in Rip City. The crowd brought the noise, the building fed off it, and the whole night took on the feel of a Pacific Northwest celebration.
That’s the bigger picture Portland was chasing, and for one game at least, it got it. The Blazers aren’t going to win by 41 every night, and rough patches are coming at some point this season. But on this night, the uncertainty outside the arena faded into cheers inside it.
New owner Tom Dundon was there to see it unfold, and he got a front-row look at how Portland shows up for its city, its team and the players wearing the uniform. Damian Lillard’s homecoming remains part of the story as well, and the impact of that return is not lost in the moment.
There’s also the possibility that adding Ja Morant, whom many see as a question mark, could end up being the spark Portland needs.
For now, the takeaway is simple: the Blazers looked like a team with a place, a pulse and a future, even when the skies look grey.
Next up is a quick two-game road trip down the state of California. Portland will open against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden One Center before heading to Crypto.com Arena to face Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in the team’s first nationally televised game of the season.
The matchup with the Kings is set for tomorrow at 7 pm PT. Fans can watch on Rip City Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.
In Other News...
Ja Morants Blazers Debut Just Raised A Bigger Backcourt Question
Ja Morants first run in a Trail Blazers uniform offered an immediate glimpse of what Portland hoped to add when it pulled off the trade with Memphis for Kris Murray and Jerami Grant. Morant got to work right away, scoring six points in his first eight minutes and showing the kind of three-point touch that can change the look of an offense in a hurry. Damian Lillard was sharp too, finishing with 12 points in 12 minutes as Portland jumped out to an early lead.
The early return was encouraging, but it also underlined why the Blazers backcourt now comes with so much intrigue. Morant and Lillard each made a clear imprint in short bursts, and Portlands ability to keep both dynamic guards involved will be one of the more interesting things to watch as the season unfolds. The fit looks promising on paper, but the bigger question is how the Blazers balance two players who both want the ball and can tilt a game in an instant. [Read more 🡒]
Bookers Rough Suns Opener Already Has Fans Fired Up
The Portland Trail Blazers opened the 2026-27 season with a fast start against Phoenix, and the tone of the game turned chippy almost as quickly as the scoreboard did. Portland jumped out to a sizable first-quarter lead behind its new backcourt pairing of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard, giving fans an early look at the kind of pace and pressure this roster can bring when it is clicking.
Devin Booker spent much of the night trying to steady the Suns, but the opener also featured a series of heated exchanges with Morant that escalated into double technical fouls for both guards. For a Portland team trying to announce itself as a more serious force in the West, the bigger picture is whether this new group can turn that opening burst into something sustainable once the emotion of opening night fades. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Just Sent A Loud Opening Night Message To The NBA
The season opener in Phoenix quickly turned into a showcase for Portland, which ran out to a 21-0 burst and never let the Suns find their footing. The Blazers walked away with a 124-83 win, a lopsided result built on pace, physicality and a clear edge on the glass, where they outworked Phoenix 56-39.
Damian Lillard set the tone for Portland with 25 points, while Devin Booker finished with 23 in an evening where the Suns struggled to establish much rhythm on either end. For a team trying to set an early standard, it was about as strong a first impression as Portland could have made, and the bigger question now is whether this kind of start can carry over once the schedule settles in. [Read more 🡒]