Damian Lillard's Return, Ja Morant's Debut Key Blazers vs. Suns, Box Score Stats & Highlights

After sitting out the 2025-26 season and playing the previous two campaigns for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Portland Trail Blazers legend's return to the court for the franchise he is most closely associated with couldn't have gone much better during Wednesday's 124-83 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Lillard looked like his old self while unleashing silky smooth shots from beyond the arc on his way to 25 points. He wasn't the only notable Trail Blazers guard, as Ja Morant provided secondary scoring and timely assists in his first game with the team.

A solid showing from Devin Booker on the other side was nowhere near enough as the Suns started their season with a blowout loss.

The biggest question surrounding the Trail Blazers this season is how the Lillard and Morant pairing will hold up from both a health perspective and basketball fit.

If Wednesday was any indication, Portland has nothing to worry about.

The home team scored the first 21 points of the game in a stunning start and won the first quarter 43-12. The game was essentially over the rest of the way, which allowed the backcourt duo to play freely and avoid seeing too many minutes early in the season.

Morant and Lillard each hit from deep during that initial spurt to seize control and remained willing facilitators whenever defenders collapsed.

There is no question Lillard is going to stretch the floor with his outside shooting, but Morant finding his stroke from deep would be particularly important for Portland. That will clear the lane even more for Deni Avdija to attack in space, which could fully unlock the team's offense.

Avdija was the Trail Blazers' go-to option last season with Lillard sidelined and Morant not even on the team, and he will surely remain a focal point even with the veteran guards handling the ball.

That was clear Wednesday, as he notched a double-double while attacking the rim and even shooting from deep on his own as a matchup nightmare.

There will be more challenging games for the Trail Blazers this season, but everything clicked in the opener.

And now they will look to keep things rolling when they hit the road to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.