Damian Lillard Scores 25 as Blazers Crush Suns 124-83

Damian Lillard made a spectacular return to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, scoring 25 points and knocking down six three-pointers as his team demolished the Phoenix Suns 124-83 in the opening game of the NBA season for both franchises. Playing his first game in nearly 18 months, Lillard delivered an impressive performance that helped Portland secure a commanding victory at home.

The veteran guard, who suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during the 2025 postseason with the Milwaukee Bucks, showed little sign of hesitation in his long-awaited comeback. He finished with 25 points and six assists in just 24 minutes, providing Portland fans with an encouraging glimpse of what he could contribute after returning to the franchise where he spent the majority of his career.

Portland made a statement from the opening tip, scoring the first 21 points of the contest and building a substantial advantage before Phoenix could establish any rhythm. The Trail Blazers led by 31 points after the opening quarter and eventually stretched their advantage to 52, turning their season opener into a one-sided contest.

While Lillard understandably commanded the spotlight, Portland received valuable contributions from several teammates. Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara scored 18 points apiece, Ja Morant recorded 14 points and eight assists in his Trail Blazers debut, and Scoot Henderson added 15 points off the bench. For Phoenix, Devin Booker finished with 23 points, but the Suns struggled badly with their shooting throughout the night.

Damian Lillard Makes an Impressive Return After Achilles Injury

Lillard’s performance was the defining storyline of Portland’s season-opening victory. After spending nearly 18 months away from game action, the 35-point-style scoring threat returned to the court with the confidence and shooting ability that made him one of the NBA’s most recognisable guards.

The seven-time All-Star made six three-pointers and scored 25 points in 24 minutes. He also distributed six assists, demonstrating that his contribution extended beyond perimeter shooting. His ability to generate offence and create opportunities for teammates helped Portland maintain control throughout the contest.

The return carried additional significance because Lillard was back in a Portland uniform for the first time in more than three and a half years. He had been the face of the franchise from 2012 to 2023, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in Trail Blazers history before moving on to other teams.

His departure had marked the end of a major chapter for Portland, but Wednesday’s performance offered a reminder of the offensive qualities that made him such an important figure in the organisation. The home crowd was able to see him contribute immediately despite the lengthy absence caused by his Achilles injury.

Six Three-Pointers Highlight Lillard’s Scoring Display

Lillard found his rhythm from beyond the arc as Portland overwhelmed Phoenix. His six made three-pointers formed a major part of the team’s outside shooting success, with the Trail Blazers finishing 19-for-47 from three-point range.

One of Lillard’s most notable shots came late in the opening quarter, when he connected from deep to push Portland’s lead to 38-8. The basket was another example of how quickly the Trail Blazers were building separation from a Phoenix team that struggled to respond.

Lillard continued to score during the second quarter, reaching 17 points by halftime as Portland took a 72-39 advantage into the break. His shooting gave the hosts another reliable scoring option while Phoenix struggled to contain the offence.

His sixth three-pointer arrived with 40.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter, helping Portland carry a 107-66 lead into the final period. With the game already firmly under control, Lillard did not play in the fourth quarter.

Managing his minutes after such a lengthy injury absence was an important aspect of the night. He delivered a strong performance without needing to play the entire game, while Portland’s sizeable lead allowed the coaching staff to rest him during the closing stages.

Trail Blazers Open the Game With a Stunning 21-0 Run

Although Lillard’s return attracted most of the attention, Portland’s collective performance established the foundation for the victory. The Trail Blazers began the contest with 21 consecutive points, immediately putting Phoenix under pressure and setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Portland connected on four three-pointers during the first 3:18, building a 14-point advantage before the Suns had scored. The hosts continued to attack, with Avdija’s two free throws pushing the score to 21-0 shortly before the midway point of the opening quarter.

Phoenix finally got on the scoreboard through two free throws by Booker with 5:54 remaining in the period. The Suns had missed their first 10 attempts from the field before Oso Ighodaro ended the drought with a dunk at the 4:27 mark.

By then, the damage was already significant. Portland continued to find open looks and convert its opportunities, while Phoenix struggled to establish an offensive rhythm or slow the hosts down defensively.

Lillard’s three-pointer with 2:06 left in the quarter made it 38-8, giving Portland a 30-point cushion. Henderson then connected from deep in the closing seconds to make the score 43-12 at the end of the first period.

The 31-point advantage after one quarter reflected Portland’s dominance at both ends of the floor. The Trail Blazers were efficient from long range, moved the ball effectively and took advantage of Phoenix’s early shooting struggles.

Camara Helps Portland Extend the Lead

Portland showed no signs of easing off in the second quarter. Camara made two three-pointers during a 12-0 run that increased the advantage to 62-24 with 4:07 remaining before halftime.

His scoring complemented Lillard’s offensive production and prevented Phoenix from concentrating its defensive attention on a single player. Camara finished with 18 points, matching Avdija for the second-highest total on the Trail Blazers.

Lillard had 17 points at the break, while Camara contributed 15. Their performances helped Portland establish a 72-39 halftime lead, leaving the Suns with a substantial deficit to overcome after the interval.

The Trail Blazers’ success was not limited to shooting. They controlled the rebounding battle and continued to generate opportunities through their movement and defensive pressure. Phoenix, by contrast, struggled to turn possessions into points.

Portland’s Supporting Cast Delivers Across the Lineup

While Lillard was the central attraction, Portland’s depth played a significant role in the 41-point victory. Several players contributed meaningful scoring, ensuring that the offence remained productive even when Lillard was not directly involved in a possession.

Deni Avdija Produces a Double-Double

Avdija recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, providing Portland with a strong all-around performance. His double-double helped the Trail Blazers control the glass and maintain offensive pressure throughout the contest.

Avdija also played a part in Portland’s fast start, converting the two free throws that completed the opening 21-0 run. His contribution demonstrated the importance of having multiple players capable of influencing the game in different ways.

Toumani Camara Provides Scoring Support

Camara also finished with 18 points, including several important three-pointers during Portland’s second-quarter surge. His outside shooting helped extend the lead at a time when Phoenix needed a defensive stop to prevent the game from slipping further away.

By contributing alongside Lillard and Avdija, Camara gave Portland another dependable scoring option. The Trail Blazers’ balanced attack made it difficult for Phoenix to focus its defensive efforts on limiting one player.

Ja Morant Makes His Trail Blazers Debut

Morant recorded 14 points and eight assists in his first appearance for Portland after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies during the offseason. His performance added another important storyline to the season opener.

The guard’s assist total highlighted his role in creating opportunities for teammates, while his scoring gave Portland another source of offence. His presence alongside Lillard adds an interesting dimension to the team’s backcourt, although how their roles develop over the season remains to be seen.

Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan Contribute

Henderson scored 15 points off the bench, providing an additional scoring boost as Portland continued to build its lead. He also produced one of the game’s notable defensive plays in the third quarter, stealing the ball and racing for a layup that pushed the margin to 40 points.

Donovan Clingan added 11 points, contributing to a team performance in which several players reached double figures. Yang Hansen also made an impact late in the game, connecting on a three-pointer to extend Portland’s advantage to 122-70 with 3:38 remaining.

The variety of contributors helped Portland maintain its dominance across all four quarters. With multiple players scoring efficiently, the Trail Blazers did not need to rely exclusively on Lillard to sustain their offence.

Phoenix Suns Struggle as Devin Booker Scores 23 Points

The night was far less encouraging for Phoenix, which never recovered from its disastrous opening quarter. The Suns managed only 83 points and struggled to find consistent shooting opportunities against a Portland team that applied pressure from the start.

Booker led Phoenix with 23 points, providing most of the team’s scoring threat. However, his individual production was not enough to bring the Suns back into the contest after Portland built its early advantage.

Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green scored 10 points apiece, but Phoenix lacked the consistent offensive support needed to challenge the hosts. The team shot just 35.7% from the field, a figure that illustrates its difficulties converting possessions into points.

Poor Three-Point Shooting Compounds Phoenix’s Problems

The Suns were particularly ineffective from beyond the arc, making just six of their 31 attempts. Their 19.4% three-point shooting percentage was far below Portland’s 40.4% success rate.

The difference from long range was a major factor in the final margin. Portland made 19 three-pointers, while Phoenix managed only six. That gap gave the Trail Blazers a significant scoring advantage and made it increasingly difficult for the visitors to close the deficit.

Phoenix also had problems getting started inside the arc. The Suns missed their first 10 field-goal attempts before Ighodaro’s dunk ended the drought, and the early failure to score allowed Portland to build a commanding lead almost immediately.

Booker’s free throws eventually put Phoenix on the scoreboard, but the Suns were already facing a major challenge. By the end of the first quarter, Portland led 43-12, leaving Phoenix with little margin for error.

The defeat will give the Suns several areas to examine as they move forward. Improving their shot selection, finding more consistent perimeter production and avoiding slow starts will be important priorities after an opening night in which they struggled on both ends of the floor.

Rebounding and Shooting Statistics Explain Portland’s Dominance

Portland’s victory was built on a combination of perimeter accuracy, rebounding strength and a fast start that prevented Phoenix from establishing any confidence. The Trail Blazers finished with a 56-39 advantage on the boards, giving them a clear edge in another important area of the game.

The shooting numbers tell a similar story. Portland made 47.9% of its field-goal attempts and 40.4% of its three-pointers. Phoenix converted only 35.7% from the field and connected on fewer than one in five attempts from beyond the arc.

These differences became especially damaging because Portland’s lead grew so quickly. The Suns had to play from behind almost from the opening possession, while the Trail Blazers could continue attacking without worrying about surrendering control of the contest.

The statistics underline how thoroughly Portland controlled the game. The Trail Blazers outperformed Phoenix from three-point range, secured more rebounds and established a decisive advantage during the opening quarter.

Portland Records a Historic Opening-Night Victory

The 124-83 result gave Portland a convincing start to the season and marked the franchise’s third-largest margin of victory in a season opener. The 41-point winning margin reflected the scale of the team’s dominance rather than a close contest decided in the final minutes.

The opening 21-0 run was particularly important because it placed Phoenix under immediate pressure. Once Portland had built a substantial lead, the Suns were forced to chase the game, while the Trail Blazers could play with greater freedom and confidence.

Lillard’s return made the victory even more memorable. His performance offered an encouraging sign after a serious Achilles injury, while the contributions from Avdija, Camara, Morant and Henderson showed that Portland could draw scoring from several positions.

Still, one game cannot establish how the season will unfold. Lillard is returning from a lengthy absence, and the team will need to sustain its defensive intensity and offensive balance against opponents that may pose a different challenge. The opening performance nevertheless provides a strong foundation on which Portland can build.

What Damian Lillard’s Return Could Mean for the Trail Blazers

Lillard’s first game back in Portland was significant both for its immediate result and for what it could represent over the longer term. The guard spent more than a decade with the franchise before his departure in 2023, becoming one of the most recognisable players in its history.

His comeback after tearing his left Achilles tendon during the 2025 postseason was a major personal milestone. The injury kept him away from competitive action for nearly 18 months, making his ability to score 25 points in limited minutes an encouraging development.

However, managing his workload will remain important following such a serious injury. Portland limited him to 24 minutes and kept him out of the fourth quarter, when the result was already beyond doubt. That approach allowed him to contribute significantly without playing unnecessary minutes in a one-sided game.

His six assists also demonstrated that his value extends beyond scoring. Lillard’s experience and ability to create opportunities can help organise the offence, while his perimeter threat forces defenders to account for him well beyond the three-point line.

Portland will hope that his return can translate into sustained contributions as the season progresses. For now, the opening-night performance provides an encouraging indication of his shooting ability and offensive influence, although his long-term workload and recovery will be important considerations.

Final Verdict

Damian Lillard’s return to the Portland Trail Blazers could hardly have gone much better. He scored 25 points, made six three-pointers and recorded six assists in 24 minutes as Portland defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-83 in a dominant season opener.

The Trail Blazers established control with a 21-0 opening run and led 43-12 after the first quarter. Their advantage eventually reached 52 points, while their superior shooting and 56-39 rebounding edge helped them maintain control throughout the night.

Avdija and Camara each scored 18 points, Morant contributed 14 points and eight assists in his Portland debut, and Henderson added 15 points off the bench. Their performances showed that the Trail Blazers had several sources of offence beyond Lillard.

Phoenix, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm. Booker finished with 23 points, but the Suns shot just 35.7% from the field and 19.4% from three-point range. Their slow start made an already difficult task considerably harder.

The opening-night result offers Portland plenty of encouragement, particularly because Lillard returned from a lengthy injury absence and immediately produced an influential performance. The Trail Blazers will now look to build on that momentum, while Phoenix must address its shooting struggles and improve its ability to start games competitively.

Final score: Portland Trail Blazers 124-83 Phoenix Suns.