It might be a protracted season for Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.
They opened the 2026-27 marketing campaign in maybe the worst doable method on Wednesday evening on the Moda Middle, and could not do something to decelerate Damian Lillard in his official return to the ground for the Path Blazers. Portland, after a historic opening half, rolled to a blowout 124-83 win over the Suns to kick off the season.
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Lillard dropped 25 factors and went 6-of-10 from behind the arc in his official return to Portland. The longtime former Path Blazers star signed a three-year deal to return to the franchise, however he missed all of final season recovering from an Achilles harm he suffered when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks.
It was unhealthy for Phoenix from the soar, too. The Path Blazers opened the sport on a 21-0 run, which marked the most important run to begin a recreation wherever within the league over the previous 25 seasons, in response to OptaStats. Each Booker and new Path Blazers star Ja Morant obtained into it briefly on the ground. Each guys have been separated fairly shortly, however they every obtained a technical foul.
It did not get any higher, both. The Path Blazers took a 43-12 lead by the tip of the primary quarter, and held the Suns to only 4-of-20 capturing within the opening interval. They solely made a single shot by way of the primary 9 minutes, too.
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Lillard made probably the most of his return, too. He dropped 12 factors within the opening quarter and hit a trio of 3-pointers, together with one from the Moda Middle brand.
The second quarter was higher for Phoenix, although not by a lot. The Path Blazers ended up taking a 33-point lead into the break, which marked the most important halftime lead of a season-opener in franchise historical past.
Lillard had 17 of his 25 factors at halftime. Booker, with 10, was the one Suns participant in double figures getting into the locker room.
The Path Blazers did not let up, both. They pushed their result in 41 factors by the tip of the third, thanks partly to an enormous step-back 3-pointer from Lillard within the ultimate minute of the interval. It was his sixth 3-pointer of the evening.
By then, Portland merely held on the remainder of the best way to seize the 41-point win. It marked the workforce’s first opening-night win since 2022, and the third-largest win to open a season in workforce historical past.
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Booker led the Suns with 23 factors whereas capturing 7-of-13 from the sphere. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Inexperienced every added 10 factors, and have been the one different Suns gamers to hit double figures.
Deni Avdija added 18 factors and 10 rebounds to go along with Lillard’s 25-point outing. Toumani Camara additionally had 18 factors, and Morant — who was dealt to the Path Blazers by the Grizzlies earlier this offseason — completed with 14 factors and eight assists.
Whereas he is nearing the tip of his profession, Lillard is clearly again to full power and prepared for his second run in Portland.