Lillard Scores 25 in His Return as Blazers Rout Suns 124-83

Damian Lillard waited a full season to play again. He needed less than a quarter to take over Moda Center. Lillard scored 25 points in 23 minutes and 51 seconds on Wednesday night, and the Portland Trail Blazers opened the game with a 21-0 run on their way to a 124-83 win over the Phoenix Suns in the season opener for both teams.

Lillard did not play last season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, according to NBC Sports. In his return, he made 7 of 12 shots, hit 6 of 10 three pointers and made all five of his free throws. He added three rebounds and six assists, and he had a game high 17 points by halftime.

A first quarter that ended the contest

Portland led 43-12 after the first quarter. Donovan Clingan opened the scoring run with two three pointers, and Phoenix did not score until Devin Booker made a free throw with 5 minutes and 54 seconds left in the quarter. The Suns' first field goal came with 4 minutes and 27 seconds left, when Oso Ighodaro dunked a pass from Collin Gillespie to make it 25-6.

The Blazers led 72-39 at halftime and by as many as 38 points in the first half, the Arizona Republic reported. Portland's largest lead reached 52 points. The Blazers won the third quarter 35-27, and the fourth quarter finished level at 17-17 with both benches on the floor.

Balance behind Lillard

Deni Avdija scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Portland, and Toumani Camara also scored 18. Scoot Henderson added 15 points off the bench. Ja Morant, in his Blazers debut, finished with 14 points, five rebounds and eight assists, and Clingan had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Portland shot 47.9 percent from the field and made 19 of 47 three pointers. The Blazers outrebounded Phoenix 68-44 and finished with 31 assists to 14 for the Suns.

A rough opener for Phoenix

Booker led Phoenix with 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting and made all nine of his free throws. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 10 points. The Suns shot 35.7 percent and made only 6 of 31 three pointers.

Phoenix played short handed. Luke Kennard was out with left knee tendinopathy, and center Mark Williams is expected to miss multiple months with a shoulder injury, so Khaman Maluach started at center and finished with two points and six rebounds. Ighodaro scored eight points before he left the game grabbing at his right hip. The Arizona Republic reported he was ruled out for the rest of the game. He had missed Phoenix's final preseason game with hip soreness.

Portland is 1-0. Phoenix is 0-1 and plays its home opener against Golden State on October 24.