Morant, Lillard Lead Portland to Dominant Season Opener Victory

The Portland Trail Blazers kicked off their season with a resounding 124-83 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. The team established dominance early, leading 21-0 and finishing the first quarter up 31 points. Israeli player Deni Avdija contributed a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Lillard, in his return to the court after an 18-month absence, scored 25 points, while Ja Morant impressed with 14 points and 8 assists.

Morant emphasized the team's focus on making a strong first impression. "You only get one chance at a first impression, and that was our message to each other before the game," Morant stated. "We wanted to leave a positive impression and start off on the right foot. We played great on both ends of the court, it was big."

Lillard, 36, expressed his excitement about returning and the love from the fans. "The fans showed me a lot of love," Lillard said. "It's no secret how much I love them and they love me. It felt amazing to come back, and to do it here with a really good team."

Lillard also highlighted his preparation during his time off, studying his teammates and attending every practice and game. He noted his role in facilitating the offense, mentioning passing to Avdija and letting Morant manage the game. He credited coach Mike Nouri for the team's cohesive performance, stating, "We looked like a coached team and Mike Nouri deserves credit for that."