The Portland Trail Blazers wasted no time sending a message to open the 2026-27 NBA season, racing out to a huge lead over the Phoenix Suns while Ja Morant and Devin Booker also found themselves in the middle of some early friction.
Portland’s surge was rolling along while the Suns were stuck in a brutal 0-17 hole, and the game’s two biggest names started trading words. The tension climbed when Morant and Booker kept jawing at each other, and both were hit with double technical fouls.
There was also a physical moment that caught the cameras: Morant brushed his shoulder against Booker, and Booker shoved him away. It stopped there, but the edge between the two stars was obvious.
The start itself was the kind of opening Portland had to like, especially with its revamped backcourt of Morant and Damian Lillard. The Blazers came into the season with plenty of buzz after adding Morant, and Lillard’s return gave the offense another major lift. After one quarter, Portland was ahead 43-12.
Devin Booker and Ja Morant get into it. 👀 pic.twitter.com/LNmEaiB8c8
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 22, 2026
For Morant, the night marked the beginning of a fresh chapter after spending his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies. His move to Portland brings a chance to reset after a run in Memphis that drew attention for off-court controversies and on-court incidents, while injuries and suspensions limited him to just 79 games over the last three seasons. Now he gets a new stage, along with a chance to stay healthy and become a steady force for his new team.
Booker enters the season with his own pressure points. Phoenix’s franchise star is again being asked to carry a heavy load and show he can push the Suns forward.
Last season, even without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Booker still led Phoenix to a 45-37 record. This year, the expectation is for him to keep driving the team as it tries to rise to a higher level.
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 🡒]
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 🡒]
Bulls Are About To Learn Why Splitter's Blazers Success Won't Repeat
Tiago Splitters run in Portland is already drawing fresh attention now that the Bulls have hired him, and for good reason. During his time with the Trail Blazers, he was part of the coaching push that helped Deni Avdija take a real step forward and reach an All-Star Game, giving Chicago reason to believe it landed a coach with a knack for player development.
But the fit in Chicago is not the same one Splitter had in Portland, and that matters for anyone expecting a one-to-one repeat. Josh Giddey brings a different style, especially as a driver, and his effectiveness getting to the basket does not mirror Avdijas path, which makes the challenge more complicated even if Splitter can still help him improve. [Read more 🡒]