Full Breakdown
Ja Morant’s Role in Portland Trail Blazers Season Opener Remains Unclear
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Uncertain Starting Assignment for Ja Morant
The Portland Trail Blazers are set to open the 2026-27 NBA season at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Reports conflict over whether two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant will start alongside returning star Damian Lillard or begin the game on the bench. No official lineup has been released by head coach Micah Nori.
Background & Context
Portland’s offseason roster overhaul includes two scheduled moves: the hiring of first-year head coach Micah Nori on June 23 and the acquisition of Morant on June 29. The franchise also re-signed Damian Lillard, who missed the entire 2025-26 campaign while recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon; his new contract is valued at $41.6 million over three years. Additional guards on the roster are Jrue Holiday, former No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson, and former seventh-overall pick Shaedon Sharpe, who is sidelined with a torn meniscus. Forward Deni Avdija is listed as questionable for the opener because of right-ankle soreness, and forward/center Toumani Camara is expected to contribute defensively.
Data & Statistics
- Ja Morant’s 2025-26 season averages: 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 28.5 minutes per game, limited to 20 contests because of calf and elbow injuries.
- Damian Lillard missed all of 2025-26 while rehabbing his Achilles injury.
- Shaedon Sharpe is out with a torn meniscus.
- Deni Avdija led Portland in scoring last season and earned the franchise’s first All-Star selection for an Israeli-born player.
- Jrue Holiday is noted for his defensive capabilities, offering a larger, more defensively reliable backcourt option.
Official Statements & Responses
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Morant will be in the starting lineup for the season opener. Earlier, ESPN analyst Marc J. Spears had indicated that Morant would likely come off the bench because of the crowded backcourt. The Athletic’s Jason Quick quoted Nori questioning the defensive fit of starting both Morant and Lillard, describing the pairing as “undersized” and suggesting that Holiday would be a more defensively sound starter. Rose Garden Report insider Sean Highkin said on Bluesky that Nori “strongly hinted” the preseason starting five—Morant, Lillard, Camara, Avdija, and Clingan—would be used for the opening game. No formal roster announcement has been made by the coaching staff.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The primary points of disagreement are:
- Starter vs. bench – Haynes says Morant will start; Spears expects him to be a bench player.
- Defensive fit – Quick questions the viability of a Morant-Lillard backcourt, while Highkin suggests the preseason lineup (including Morant) will be retained.
- Injury status – Avdija’s right-ankle soreness leaves his availability uncertain, potentially prompting a lineup adjustment.
No definitive clarification has been provided by Coach Nori, leaving the exact rotation open.
What’s Next
Portland is expected to confirm its starting five before the Wednesday night matchup with the Suns. The decision may be influenced by Avdija’s health and the coaching staff’s assessment of backcourt defensive balance.