Several NBA contenders suffered blowout losses during the 2026-27 season opening night, with the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Sacramento Kings all facing significant deficits, NBA Passion reported.
Chicago Bulls fall to Raptors in 135-92 loss
The Chicago Bulls opened their season with a 135-92 defeat at the Scotiabank Arena. Toronto led 43-23 after the first quarter, driven by three-point shooting from Immanuel Quickley. Four Toronto players—Kawhi Leonard, Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes—each scored over 20 points.
Chicago struggled from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 36 three-point attempts. The team committed 27 turnovers, including nine by rookie Caleb Wilson. Matas Buzelis recorded 13 made free throws on 16 attempts despite taking only eight field goals during the game.
Houston Rockets dominate Dallas Mavericks in Texas derby
The Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks in a game that saw Houston lead 56-36 after a quarter and a half. The lead grew to 73-42 and eventually 95-58. Houston outscored Dallas 38-12 in the second period.
Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points each for Houston, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson recorded double-doubles. Cooper Flagg added 32 points. For Dallas, Kyrie Irving scored 15 points and committed four turnovers in his first game since March 2025.
Lakers outpace Golden State Warriors 127-105
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 127-105. A decisive third quarter saw the Lakers outscore Golden State 36-16. Walker Kessler finished with 26 points and was perfect from the field, shooting 12-for-12 in 30 minutes of play.
Phoenix Suns suffer 41-point defeat to Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-83 at the Moda Center. Portland opened the game with a 19-0 run and led 43-12 after the first quarter. Damian Lillard scored 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including six three-pointers, and added six assists.
Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara contributed 18 points each, while Ja Morant added 14 points and eight assists. Scoot Henderson scored 15 points off the bench. Phoenix shot 6-of-31 from three-point range and played without center Mark Williams.
LA Clippers defeat Sacramento Kings 121-96
The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Sacramento Kings 121-96, led by 30 points from Darius Garland. Darius Acuff Jr. struggled in his NBA debut, shooting 5-of-24 from the field and 0-of-7 from three-point range.
Opening Night Score Summary
| Winning Team | Losing Team | Final Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | Chicago Bulls | 135-92 | 43 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | 124-83 | 41 |
| LA Clippers | Sacramento Kings | 121-96 | 25 |
Opening Night Performance Questions
Why did the Phoenix Suns struggle so heavily in Portland?
The Suns lacked a credible center due to the absence of Mark Williams and struggled with perimeter shooting, converting only 6 of 31 attempts from three-point range.
How did Kyrie Irving perform in his return for Dallas?
Irving scored 15 points and committed four turnovers.
What were the standout stats for the Toronto Raptors?
Toronto had four players score over 20 points and utilized a strong first-quarter surge, scoring 43 points to put the Bulls in an early deficit.
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