PORTLAND, Ore. — Deandre Ayton showcased an impressive performance against his previous team, scoring 24 points on an outstanding 11-of-12 shooting as the Portland Trail Blazers earned a 127-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
The two teams are scheduled to face each other again on Monday night in Portland.
In addition to Ayton’s strong showing, Jerami Grant contributed 20 points for the Blazers, while Toumani Camara added 18 points to the team’s total.
On the Suns’ side, Devin Booker excelled with a game-high 37 points, and Kevin Durant supported with 22 points. The Suns were playing their second game in two nights, having previously overcome the Golden State Warriors 130-105 on Friday.
After the Blazers built a solid 61-46 lead by halftime, Booker quickly made his mark by drawing a foul on a 3-point shot in the first play of the third quarter, inspiring a momentum shift that saw Phoenix score 15 consecutive points. Durant’s 3-pointer marked the initial non-Booker points for Phoenix in that quarter, bringing the score to 74-64; however, that was the closest the Suns would get during that stretch.
Noteworthy observations include the impact of Suns center Nick Richards, who has left his mark in his first seven games since joining the team in a trade with Charlotte. “He gives us a presence inside. A guy that can come and block shots, rebound, and handle the glass,” commented Suns coach Mike Budenholzer.
On the other hand, Portland’s second-year forward Toumani Camara was recently selected for the NBA Rising Stars roster as an injury replacement, a decision that made Blazers coach Chauncey Billups reflect on Camara’s capabilities. “I was obviously disappointed that he wasn’t named initially,” Billups stated. “We appreciate guys like him, especially among coaches.”
A pivotal moment in the game was Shaedon Sharpe’s spectacular windmill dunk with just 4:05 left in the third quarter, which extended the Blazers’ lead to 18 points and ignited the crowd’s excitement.
Statistically, Portland dominated the paint throughout the game, outscoring Phoenix 66-32 in that area, which was a critical factor in their victory.
