Nori Has Planned Starting Pair for Trail Blazers
Coach Micah Nori indicated that Damian Lillard and Ja Morant will likely open in the backcourt together.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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Should coaches prioritize individual star player input when deciding their team's starting lineup?
Portland Trail Blazers fans will see both Damian Lillard and Ja Morant in the starting lineup this season as coach Micah Nori tests their potential pairing. The coach confirmed his intention to field both players together as team activities get underway.
Why it matters
The decision to pair two high-usage guards shapes the Blazers offensive identity as the team begins its season. Fans are now watching to see how the duo handles ball-sharing duties and defensive responsibilities throughout the upcoming schedule.
Coach Micah Nori has identified a two-guard starting core from the current active roster. The specific statistical impact of this pairing versus prior season backcourt configurations is not yet known.
The players
Micah Nori
Micah Nori is the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is a player on the Portland Trail Blazers roster.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant is a player on the Portland Trail Blazers roster.
The details
Coach Micah Nori announced the plan to start both Damian Lillard and Ja Morant during the team's first day of activities. Lillard voiced his belief that the two would start together, while Morant expressed his willingness to accept any role assigned by the coaching staff. The staff intends to evaluate how this specific backcourt combination functions during the early stages of the season.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Coach Micah Nori discussed the team's starting lineup strategy.
Beyond the Bridges
This decision sets the tactical direction for the Blazers entering the 2026-2027 NBA season. It follows a league-wide trend of experimental backcourt pairings as teams adjust to new defensive spacing rules.
Blazers fans will get their first look at the Lillard-Morant backcourt when the team kicks off its regular season schedule. Keep an eye on the official game-day depth charts to see how this pairing shifts the team's pace on the floor.
The takeaway
The team's success hinges on whether this high-profile backcourt can effectively share the ball and stabilize the offense. Monitor the team's early-season box scores to track the chemistry between the two stars.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Basketball section of our site.
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Should coaches prioritize individual star player input when deciding their team's starting lineup?
