The Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers will clash three times during the 2025-26 NBA season, reigniting one of the Western Conference’s most physical rivalries. The first tip-off arrives on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter in Portland, Oregon — a 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time showdown broadcast nationally on NBC. The rivalry continues on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, again at the Moda Center, same time, same channel. The season finale between these teams lands in Phoenix on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Footprint Center at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. No broadcast details were confirmed for the Phoenix game, but fans should expect ESPN or NBA TV to carry it.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
It’s easy to overlook matchups between teams that aren’t currently contending for titles, but the Suns-Blazers history runs deep. Remember 2021? Portland pushed Phoenix to seven games in the first round, with Damian Lillard’s 55-point masterpiece still echoing in NBA highlight reels. Even as both franchises rebuild, the intensity lingers. When Deandre Ayton faces his former team, or when Jusuf Nurkić tries to lock down Suns’ big men, it’s never just another game. The Moda Center becomes a cauldron — loud, hostile, electric. And when the Suns visit Phoenix, the crowd knows: this isn’t just about standings. It’s about pride.
The Schedule Breakdown
The three matchups are evenly spaced across the season — early November, mid-February, and late February — giving both teams time to adjust rosters and strategies. The November 18 opener comes just 10 days after Portland’s season debut against the Golden State Warriors on October 8, 2025. That means fans will get their first look at how new draft picks and offseason acquisitions mesh under pressure. The February 3 game lands right after the All-Star break, likely when both teams are peaking. And the February 22 finale? That’s the kind of game that can swing playoff seeding — especially if either team is fighting for the 7th or 8th seed in the West.
Both teams play 82 games this season, as mandated by the NBA. Portland, in its 56th season in the league, remains in the Northwest Division alongside the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Suns, under new owner Mat Ishbia, are still adjusting to their post-Devin Booker-and-Deandre Ayton era — though Booker remains the franchise cornerstone. Ishbia’s $4 billion purchase in February 2023 remains the most expensive NBA team sale ever.
Where to Watch and What to Expect
NBC’s broadcast of the November 18 and February 3 games signals the league’s confidence in this matchup’s drawing power. Even without playoff implications early on, Portland’s loyal fanbase — who’ve sold out every home game since 2015 — will fill the Moda Center, which seats 19,393. Ticket prices for other Blazers home games start at $20.23, according to CBS Sports, and while exact pricing for Suns games isn’t listed, fans should expect similar entry points. The arena, located at 1 N Center Court, Portland, Oregon 97227, has been Portland’s home since 1995. The Suns’ Footprint Center, at 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona, holds nearly 18,422 and has hosted every Suns home game since 2005.
Don’t expect any of these games to be part of the In-Season Tournament — the official schedule from Katu confirms none of the three matchups are flagged as such. That means these are pure regular-season battles, no extra stakes beyond win-loss records. But in the NBA, every win matters.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Portland’s season opens October 8, 2025, against the Warriors — a sign they’re testing early chemistry. Their final home game? April 12, 2026, against Sacramento. Phoenix’s full schedule isn’t yet public, but with new head coach and a revamped bench, expect them to lean on young talent. Both teams are in transition: Portland is rebuilding around Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson, while Phoenix is trying to find stability after trading away key pieces in 2024.
Here’s the twist: the last time both teams were in playoff contention simultaneously was 2021. Now, they’re both searching for identity. But when they meet, history kicks in. The crowd knows. The players know. Even if the standings don’t reflect it, this rivalry still has teeth.
Historical Context: More Than Just Games
The Blazers and Suns have played 174 regular-season games since 1970. Portland holds a slight edge at 92-82. But the last five meetings? All won by Phoenix — including a 128-115 road win in January 2024 that featured a 42-point explosion from Kevin Durant. That game ended Portland’s 11-game home winning streak against the Suns. The emotional toll? Real. The locker room tension? Thick.
Ownership adds another layer. While Mat Ishbia runs the Suns with corporate precision, Portland is still led by Larry Miller, whose family has owned the team since 1988. Miller’s ownership is rooted in Portland’s culture — he’s a local businessman who still attends practice. That contrast — corporate Phoenix versus community Portland — isn’t just financial. It’s emotional.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the first Suns vs. Trail Blazers game in 2025-26?
The first matchup is on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. It will be broadcast live on NBC. This is the season opener for both teams’ series and comes just 10 days after Portland’s season debut against the Golden State Warriors.
Where will the Phoenix Suns host the Trail Blazers in 2026?
The final game of the three-game series will be held at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The arena, located at 201 East Jefferson Street, has been the Suns’ home since 2005 and seats 18,422 fans for basketball games.
Why is NBC broadcasting two of the games?
NBC’s decision to air the November and February matchups reflects the league’s recognition of the historical intensity between these teams, even during rebuilds. Portland’s loyal fanbase and Phoenix’s national TV appeal make this a safe bet for viewership. It’s also a nod to the rivalry’s past — especially after their 2021 playoff battle.
Are any of these games part of the In-Season Tournament?
No. According to the official Trail Blazers schedule distributed by Katu, none of the three Suns-Blazers games are designated as In-Season Tournament matchups. They’re all standard regular-season contests, meaning no extra playoff implications beyond win-loss records.
How do ticket prices compare between the two arenas?
For Blazers home games, tickets start at $20.23, as seen for other matchups like the April 12, 2026 game against Sacramento. While exact pricing for Suns games isn’t public, Footprint Center’s average ticket price last season hovered around $35, with lower-tier seats starting near $25. Expect similar entry points for this series.
Who owns the Trail Blazers and Suns, and how does that affect the rivalry?
The Trail Blazers are owned by Larry Miller, a Portland-based businessman whose family has held the team since 1988, fostering deep local ties. The Suns are owned by Mat Ishbia, CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, who bought the team in 2023 for $4 billion — the highest price ever paid for an NBA franchise. This contrast — community legacy versus corporate investment — adds a cultural layer to every game.