A new head coach took charge, a franchise icon returned after a long absence, and an All-Star started a fresh chapter as the Portland Trail Blazers opened their 2026-27 NBA season against the Phoenix Suns at the Moda Center. The game marked the first under new ownership, occupying Paul Allen’s former seats along the baseline.
The Blazers unveiled a starting lineup combining star power and youth. Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, both All-Stars, lead a group that also includes returning starters Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan. This set offers a blend of scoring, playmaking, and defense, with Camara known for his versatility and Clingan regarded as one of the league’s promising young centers.
Micah Nori, in his first season as head coach, announced plans to use a 10-man rotation to capitalize on depth and flexibility. Alongside the starters, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Sidy Cissoko, Robert Williams III, and Vit Krejci are expected to feature regularly. Nori’s approach involves shorter shifts, sometimes as brief as three minutes, aiming to keep players fresh and aggressive. Williams’ availability may affect minutes allocation, as he sat out back-to-back games last season. Micah Potter, Branden Carlson, and Yang Hansen could also see occasional playing time.
The coaching change came after a turbulent period. Nori replaces interim coach Tiago Splitter, stepping into a leadership role after interviewing seven times for head coaching positions. Now in his 29th NBA season, Nori is respected for his player rapport and basketball acumen. The franchise’s coaching situation had been unsettled following Chauncey Billups’ indefinite NBA leave amid federal felony charges related to an alleged rigged underground poker scheme.
The Blazers’ roster construction signals a shift toward offense. With five dynamic ball-handlers and playmakers, Lillard, Morant, Avdija, Holiday, and Henderson, the team plans to play fast, featuring speed, passing, and cutting. Defensively, they rely on interior strength from Clingan and Williams, plus Camara’s versatility and Cissoko’s ability to guard multiple positions. Holiday remains a capable perimeter defender, and Avdija aims to contribute more on both ends without carrying primary ball-handling duties. However, the backcourt duo of Morant and Lillard, both standing 6-foot-2, is less imposing defensively.
Portland’s expectations have risen after an unexpected push last season. The team won 10 of its final 14 regular-season games and knocked out the Suns in the play-in tournament before falling to the Spurs in the first round. Camara said during training camp that the team targets 50-plus wins and home-court advantage in the playoffs. The league’s depth and new lottery rules mean teams will compete hard throughout the season, reducing the chances of late-season tanking.
The Blazers face a challenging early schedule, with six of their first eight games and 12 of the first 17 on the road. They will encounter several playoff hopefuls, including the Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
The most anticipated moment of opening night was the return of Damian Lillard. The nine-time All-Star and franchise leader last played an NBA regular-season or playoff game on April 27, 2025, before a torn left Achilles tendon sidelined him for the following season. He spent two seasons with Milwaukee and missed the previous year due to injury. His comeback adds an emotional and competitive dimension to the Blazers’ campaign.
The 2026-27 season opener thus blends new faces, fresh strategies, and long-awaited returns, with the Blazers aiming to build momentum under Nori’s guidance and the leadership of Lillard and Morant.
According to Yahoo Sports.
