10/21/2026 11:38:00
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10/21 23:37 CDT Lillard returns with 25 points, Morant debuts and the Blazers
rout the Suns 124-83
Lillard returns with 25 points, Morant debuts and the Blazers rout the Suns
124-83
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) --- Damian Lillard scored 25 points in his first
regular-season game since rejoining the Trail Blazers, leading Portland to a
124-83 season-opening rout of the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
Offseason addition Ja Morant had 14 points and eight assists for the Blazers,
who jumped out to a 21-0 lead and led by as many as 52 points. Toumani Camara
added 18 points.
Devin Booker, embarking on his 12th NBA season with the Suns, had 23 points.
Lillard spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Blazers before playing two
seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He rejoined the Blazers in the summer of
2025, but spent last season rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon.
Lillard joins a Blazers team that snapped a five-year postseason drought last
season. But Tiago Splitter, who took over as coach after Chauncey Billups'
arrest in an alleged gambling scheme, left for the Chicago Bulls and the
Blazers hired Micah Nori, an assistant with the Timberwolves.
The Blazers also traded away Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Memphis
Grizzlies in exchange for Morant.
The Blazers went ahead 21-0 behind 3-pointers from Lillard, Morant, Deni Avdija
and Donovan Clingan. The Suns' first points came off free throws with 5:54 left
in the first quarter.
Lillard made back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the lead to 38-8 and Portland
had a 72-39 advantage at halftime. He finished with six 3s.
The Suns hit just 36% from the field for the game and were just 6 of 31 on
3-point attempts.
Nori pulled the Blazers' starters early in the final quarter.
Avdija was a game-time decision for the Blazers with a right ankle injury but
started. Avdija, last season's surprising breakout player with 24.2 points per
game, had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Up Next
The Suns host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The Blazers visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
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