An 83-124 opener in Portland stings, but October 22 has seen every version of this franchise. The 1968 expansion club lost on this date and went 16-66, and the 2021-22 team won at the Lakers on it fresh off a Finals run.
Portland, flipped. On October 22, 1978, Phoenix left Portland with a 124-116 win. On Wednesday the Blazers scored 124 of their own, led by 52 and never trailed, with zero lead changes and zero ties. A 43-12 first quarter, built on a 21-0 opening run, settled it early.
Expansion-year echoes. The 1968-69 Suns lost 101-109 at San Francisco on this date in their debut season and finished 16-66 under Johnny "Red" Kerr, with Jerry Colangelo, 28, as general manager. That team started from nothing. This one starts from Booker, signed through 2029-30.
Star power holds. Booker did his job in the opener: 23 points on 7-13 shooting and 9-9 at the line in 29 minutes. He also finished minus-43. Last season he put up 26.1 points a night with 6.0 assists. He passes the heat check. Most of the roster around him does not.
What the money bought. Green ($36.3M) shot 4-12. Bridges ($22.8M) went 3-11 and 0-5 from deep. Brooks ($20.0M) was 4-11. The starters produced 53 points on a $213.8M payroll that sits over the $200.4M luxury tax line. Phoenix is paying star prices for supporting work.
The Durant return. The July 6, 2025 deal that sent Kevin Durant to Houston brought back Green, Brooks, Rasheer Fleming and the draft rights to Khaman Maluach. Arizona Sports reported that Maluach started at center. He was minus-30 in 17 minutes. Fleming was on the floor at the finish and broke even in 12.
Finals teams had guards. Every deep run here has come through the backcourt: Westphal and Van Arsdale in 1976, Nash with D'Antoni, Chris Paul beside Booker in 2021. On this date in 2021 that group beat the Lakers 115-105. Booker is still here, and the guards around him are still auditioning.
Golden State, again. The 2018-19 Suns lost 103-123 at Golden State on this date. The Warriors come to Phoenix on Saturday. Ighodaro (right hip) and Kennard (left knee) both have estimated returns of October 24. Mark Williams stays sidelined, with his shoulder return estimated for February 3.
Have the Suns won in Portland on October 22 before?
Yes. Phoenix won 124-116 at Portland on October 22, 1978.
How bad was the Suns' 2026-27 season opener?
Phoenix lost 83-124 at Portland on October 21 and trailed by as many as 52. Devin Booker led the Suns with 23 points.
