The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-83 on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Moda Center, led by Damian Lillard’s 25 points and six assists. Portland opened its NBA season with a 43-point first quarter, establishing control early and delivering a convincing home win before 19,367 fans.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Portland Builds a 31-Point Lead
The Trail Blazers outscored the Suns 43-12 in the opening period, creating the game’s decisive separation. Portland’s first-quarter production alone exceeded half of Phoenix’s eventual 83-point total, leaving the visitors with a substantial deficit after just 12 minutes.
Second Quarter: Suns Improve, but Blazers Extend the Margin
Phoenix increased its scoring to 27 points in the second quarter, but Portland answered with 29. The Trail Blazers took a 72-39 lead into halftime, adding two points to their advantage despite the Suns’ improved offensive output.
Third Quarter: Portland Moves Ahead by 41
The Trail Blazers outscored Phoenix 35-27 in the third, stretching their lead to 107-66. Portland reached triple figures before the fourth quarter and continued to increase the margin rather than allowing the Suns to work back into contention.
Fourth Quarter: Teams Finish Even
Both teams scored 17 points in the final period, preserving Portland’s 41-point advantage. The Trail Blazers completed the 124-83 victory in regulation.
Key Performers
- Damian Lillard, Portland: Led all scorers with 25 points and added six assists to headline the winning performance.
- Ja Morant, Portland: Recorded a team-high eight assists, helping the Trail Blazers finish with 32.
- Deni Avdija, Portland: Led the home team with 10 rebounds as Portland earned a 56-39 advantage on the boards.
- Devin Booker, Phoenix: Scored a team-high 23 points, providing the Suns’ leading individual contribution.
- Khaman Maluach and Jalen Green, Phoenix: Maluach led Phoenix with six rebounds, while Green recorded a team-high three assists.
NerdSports Stat: Portland’s 13 additional made three-pointers produced a 39-point advantage from beyond the arc—just two points shy of the entire 41-point final margin.
Game Analysis: Three-Point Shooting and Ball Movement Separate Portland
The three-point disparity was central to this Trail Blazers vs. Suns result. Portland made 19 of 47 attempts from deep, shooting 40.4%, while Phoenix finished 6-for-31 at 19.4%. The Trail Blazers combined significantly greater volume with better accuracy.
Portland also outperformed Phoenix across the broader shooting picture, making 45 of 94 field-goal attempts for 47.9%. The Suns converted 30 of 84 attempts, finishing at 35.7%. Phoenix made two more free throws, 17 to Portland’s 15, but that advantage offered little offset to the difference from the field.
The supporting numbers reinforced Portland’s control. The Trail Blazers recorded 32 assists to the Suns’ 14 and collected 17 more rebounds. Morant and Lillard combined for 14 assists, matching Phoenix’s entire team total. Without individual possession data, those figures do not explain every scoring opportunity, but they underline Portland’s stronger collective production.
Closing Context: Portland Starts 1-0
Portland begins the regular season 1-0 in the Western Conference, while Phoenix falls to 0-1. The Trail Blazers next host the Sacramento Kings on Friday, October 23, at 7:00 PM PDT. The Suns return home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, October 26, at 5:00 PM PDT, looking to improve their shooting and avoid another early deficit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-83 on October 21, 2026.
Damian Lillard scored 25 points. His individual shooting percentage was not provided in the available game data.
After the win, the Portland Trail Blazers sit 1-0 in the Western Conference.
Damian Lillard was the standout performer with a game-high 25 points and six assists.
