The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t just open the season with a win Wednesday night at Moda Center. They opened it with a statement, blasting the Phoenix Suns 124-83 in front of a sellout crowd and turning the building into a celebration before the first quarter was even over.
Portland set the tone immediately, ripping off a 21-0 start and never giving Phoenix a foothold. Donovan Clingan knocked down the first shot of the season with a three-pointer, and the Blazers kept coming from everywhere.
Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija attacked from the perimeter and off the bounce, Ja Morant kept pressuring the lane with floaters, and the ball kept moving until Phoenix was buried under the avalanche. The Suns did not get their first points until Devin Booker hit two free throws with 5:54 left in the opening quarter, and they did not hit a field goal until Oso Ighodaro dunked with 4:27 remaining.
By then, Portland had already stacked up leads of 21-0, 25-2, 32-6 and 38-8 on the way to a 43-12 first quarter.
The biggest roar of the night belonged to Lillard, who played his first regular-season game with the Blazers in 1,309 days and looked right at home. The nine-time All-Star and franchise scoring leader was met with a massive ovation during introductions and answered with 25 points, six assists and three rebounds.
He shot 7 of 12 from the field and 6 of 10 from three-point range, flashing the same easy rhythm that made him the face of the franchise. His first basket came 8:42 into the opening quarter, when he caught a pass from Toumani Camara and buried a three to push Portland ahead 14-0.
By the end of the quarter, Lillard had already piled up 12 points, two assists, two rebounds and one steal while going 3 of 5 from deep. It was his first regular-season game with Portland since March 22, 2023, and his first non-exhibition NBA game since April 27, 2025, when he suffered a torn left Achilles tendon.
The performance gave Blazers fans something they haven’t had much of lately: a night where the basketball itself took center stage. Since last season’s run to the Western Conference playoffs ended, the backdrop around the franchise has been noisy, with layoffs, arena renovations, lease negotiations and broadcasting drama all piling up.
But Wednesday belonged to the court. Lillard was sharp.
Morant was electric. Avdija was everywhere.
Camara handled the defensive work and knocked down shots. Sidy Cissoko did the dirty work.
Clingan and Rob Williams III controlled the paint. Portland’s depth, balance and versatility were on display from start to finish, and for one night at least, all the off-court noise faded into the background.
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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 🡒]