The Portland Trail Blazers have won their first two games of the 2026-27 NBA season. Under Head Coach Micah Nori’s system, Damian Lillard‘s impact has been felt from the get-go, and the team has clearly defined Ja Morant‘s role. It may be only two games, but the Blazers have shown they have the firepower to compete with the NBA’s best teams. They dominated the Phoenix Suns in their first game, while they showed their ability to successfully get past adversity against the Sacramento Kings.
For all the talk about problems with the Blazers’ backcourt of Lillard and Morant, they are doing well. In fact, even Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday are thriving in their refreshed roles off the bench.
Nori’s System Is Getting the Most Out of Every Player
Of course, the backcourt players are not the only names who have stood out in the first two games of the season. Deni Avdija continues to shine in his elevated role, while the likes of Toumani Camara, Sidy Cissoko, and Donovan Clingan are performing well within their roles.
“I think it’s been proven in this league that you have to have depth all the way through… to get seven guys in double figures on a night we didn’t shoot well from three… get ourselves to the free-throw line 30 times, and only turn it over 10 times, we trust all those guys,” Nori said about the team’s depth being beneficial for the team.
heading into the weekend with the dub 👋 pic.twitter.com/5axYQFgkN6
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 24, 2026
Despite the perceived lack of depth beyond Avdija and Camara, it seems that Nori’s system has found a way to work around it. When it’s time for the substitutions to be made, Nori is not shy to throw out a triple-guard lineup with Henderson, Holiday, and either Lillard or Morant alongside the big men like Clingan and Robert Williams III.
That just shows that he is quite familiar with his players, so he knows that Henderson and Holiday can play above their height and weight. At the same time, Nori also knows how to utilize Morant’s role to be the tone setter, as well as Cissoko, to get the most out of his defensive versatility and infectious energy.
Lillard’s Impact on the Team Is Already Undeniable
After Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Milwaukee Bucks waived him and stretched his contract. Left without a team, the Blazers became a viable option again. After a year on the Blazers’ sidelines, he is back and playing at the highest level.
It’s wild that Dame is playing like this after an Achilles injury.
— Pinwheel Empire (@PinwheelEmpire) October 24, 2026
For the longest time, Blazers basketball was always connected to Lillard. He was the face of the franchise. However, his first stint ended on a sour note, as he asked for a trade, but he ended up finding out that the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
In the first two games of the season, Dame has averaged 22 points per game. He looks like his old self, which is the benefit of a year and a half on the sidelines. Lillard has been hungry to prove himself again, and he is doing it for the team that he has loved for 14 years.
Within Nori’s system, the impact of Lillard’s return is felt through his scoring and playmaking. However, Dame’s leadership has continued to shine through because everyone seems to be in tune, and it’s mostly due to the culture he and Holiday have set for the team.
Morant’s Role Has Helped Shape the Blazers
During his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant’s role on the team was to be the star player. He was the go-to scorer, playmaker, and vocal leader. Unfortunately, his time with the Grizzlies fizzled out, so it was inevitable that they would part ways.
With a trade centered on Morant, the Blazers acquired him by sending Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis. It was a surprising trade by the Blazers because of the perceived guard logjam with Lillard and Morant, but it has looked quite natural in the first two games.
In Nori’s system, Morant does not have to force the issue by being the star player. Morant’s role is being a playmaker and maximizing everyone else. Lillard’s impact is quite clear because he is the off-ball scorer, while Morant is the one who sets the table, as shown by his 7.5 assists per game to go along with his 13 points a night.
Everyone eats on the Trail Blazers, and while it is still early in the 2026-27 season, they look good. It will be challenging to keep this going, but Coach Nori will keep raising the Blazers’ level.
Featured Image: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
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