NBA: Damian Lillard shines in Blazers return as Portland rout Suns

Damian Lillard made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points in his first game in nearly 18 months, and the Portland Trail Blazers opened the game with 21 consecutive points en route to a 124-83 dismantling of the visiting Phoenix Suns in the season opener for both teams Wednesday.

Lillard, who tore his left Achilles tendon during the 2025 postseason with the Milwaukee Bucks, excelled in 24 minutes in his first appearance in a Portland uniform in more than 3 1/2 years. The face of the franchise from 2012-23 also dished out six assists. He sat out the fourth quarter as the Trail Blazers recorded their third-largest margin of victory in a season opener.

Deni Avdija recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Toumani Camara also scored 18 points for Portland, which led by 31 after one quarter and by as many as 52 overall.

Ja Morant had 14 points and eight assists in his Trail Blazers debut after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. Scoot Henderson scored 15 points off the bench, and Donovan Clingan added 11 for Portland, which held a 56-39 rebounding advantage.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 23 points. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 10 points apiece for the Suns, who shot 35.7% from the field and 6 of 31 (19.4%) from 3-point range.

The Trail Blazers made 19 of 47 3-point attempts (40.4%) and shot 47.9% overall.

Portland made four 3-pointers in the first 3:18 to take a 14-point lead. The advantage reached 21-0 on Avdija's two free throws just before the midway point of the quarter.

Phoenix's first points came on two free throws by Booker with 5:54 left in the period. The Suns missed their first 10 shots from the field before Oso Ighodaro's dunk with 4:27 remaining cut the deficit to 25-6.

Portland's lead reached 30 when Lillard drilled a 3-pointer to make it 38-8 with 2:06 left. Henderson buried the Trail Blazers' eighth 3-pointer of the quarter to make it 43-12 with 6.9 seconds remaining.

Camara hit two 3-pointers during a 12-0 run that extended Portland's lead to 62-24 with 4:07 left in the second quarter.

The Trail Blazers led 72-39 at halftime behind Lillard's 17 points and Camara's 15.

The margin reached 40 for the first time at 104-64 when Henderson stole the ball and raced in for a layup with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter. Lillard's sixth 3-pointer came with 40.9 seconds left as Portland took a 107-66 lead into the fourth.

Yang Hansen drained a 3-pointer to push the Trail Blazers' lead to 122-70 with 3:38 remaining.

-Field Level Media/Reuters