NBA stars Ja Morant, Devin Booker get testy as Blazers bully Suns early appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Sunsare now on the court to kick off their 2026-27 NBA season on a positive note. However, as Devin Booker’s team was trailing Ja Morant’s Blazers by a significant margin, both superstars also made headlines after getting testy with each other.
The cameras caught Morant brushing his shoulder against Booker, prompting the Suns star to shove him away. Fortunately, the confrontation did not escalate further.
Devin Booker and Ja Morant get into it. 👀 pic.twitter.com/LNmEaiB8c8
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 22, 2026
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It wasn’t their only confrontation of the game. Booker and Morant were also seen exchanging words while the Suns were trailing 0-17. The two stars continued jawing at each other, resulting in both receiving double technical fouls.
The Blazers’ fast start was particularly notable given their new-look backcourt featuring Morant and Damian Lillard. Portland entered the season with high expectations after adding Morant, while Lillard’s return provided another major boost to the team’s offense.
Portland’s ability to take control early against Phoenix offered an early glimpse of the team’s potential. After the first quarter, the Blazers are leading 43-12.
However, both Morant and Booker have plenty to prove this season. After spending his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant is now beginning a new chapter with the Blazers.
Morant’s time in Memphis attracted significant attention on several occasions because of his off-court controversies and on-court incidents. His availability has also been a major concern, as injuries and suspensions limited him to just 79 games over the past three seasons. Now, he has an opportunity to turn the page, rebuild his reputation, and prove that he can remain healthy and consistently contribute to his new team.
On the other hand, the Suns’ franchise star is looking to reinforce his status as a leader and prove that he can guide the team toward greater success. Last season, despite the absence of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Booker led Phoenix to a 45-37 record. Now, this season, he will once again be expected to shoulder much of the responsibility as the Suns aim to compete at a higher level.
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