Phoenix lost 124-83 in Portland without a single lead or tie, and the game was effectively over after a 43-12 first quarter. The four highest-paid Suns all finished deep in the minus column, while the few useful minutes came from the bench.
Over by 6:08. Portland opened on a 21-0 run that lasted until 6:08 of the first quarter. Jordan Ott called timeouts at 0-11 and again at 6-32, and neither slowed it. Damian Lillard hit 6 of 10 threes for 25 points in 24 minutes, and the Blazers added a 12-0 burst in the second.
Booker grade: B-minus. Devin Booker scored 23 on 7-of-13 shooting and made all nine free throws in 29 minutes. He took no threes and finished -43, the worst mark on the team. He was the only Sun past 20 points, and the starters around him gave him no second option.
Bridges grade: D. Miles Bridges went 3-of-11, missed all five threes and finished -35 in 29 minutes. At $22.8M he carries the third-biggest contract on a $213.8M payroll. Portland's wing won that matchup outright: Toumani Camara posted 18 points and a +32 in 23 minutes.
Green and Brooks, cold. Jalen Green, at $36.3M, shot 4-of-12 for 10 points and a -23. Dillon Brooks, at $20.0M, went 4-of-11 for 10 points and a -29. The starters produced 53 points and the bench 20, and none of the salaried scorers bent the game.
Maluach's long night. Arizona Sports reported that Khaman Maluach started at center. The 20-year-old finished -30 in 17 minutes, third-worst on the roster. Deni Avdija put up 18 points and 10 rebounds against that frontcourt, and Ja Morant added 14 points, 8 assists and 3 steals at +33.
Bench bright spots. Duop Reath led the team at +2 in 9 minutes with 5 points. Oso Ighodaro went 4-of-7 for 8 points and 3 assists at -7, and Arizona Sports reported he exited with an apparent hip injury. Koa Peat, 19, led Phoenix's fourth-quarter scoring with 4 points.
What it costs. Phoenix sits 0-1 and 13th in the West, one game behind sixth-place Oklahoma City. Ighodaro's right hip and Luke Kennard's left knee both carry an October 24 return target. Mark Williams stays out with a February 3 target. The Suns get three days before their next game.
Why did the Suns lose so badly to the Trail Blazers?
Portland opened on a 21-0 run and led 43-12 after one quarter. Phoenix never led or tied in the 124-83 loss.
Is Oso Ighodaro injured?
He is on the injury report with a right hip issue, and his target return date is October 24.
