The 2025-26 season had barely started when Portland lost its head coach. Chauncey Billups coached the opener, a loss, and was arrested the next day in a federal gambling case. His lead assistant, Tiago Splitter, took over.

Splitter went 42-39. The Blazers finished eighth in the West, beat Phoenix in the play-in to take the No. 7 seed and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

1. Apr. 19Game 1 at San Antonio: lost 111-98, Avdija 30 points
2. Apr. 21Game 2 at San Antonio: won 106-103, Scoot Henderson 31
3. Apr. 24Game 3 in Portland: lost 120-108, Jrue Holiday 29
4. Apr. 26Game 4 in Portland: lost 114-93
5. Apr. 28Game 5 at San Antonio: lost 114-95, season over

The franchise changed hands first. The league’s Board of Governors approved the sale from Paul Allen’s estate to a group led by Tom Dundon in April, at a reported $4.25 billion. Then the coach left: Chicago hired Splitter in June.

Portland went to Minnesota for his replacement. Micah Nori, an NBA assistant since 2009-10 and Chris Finch’s lead assistant for five seasons, got his first head job on a deal with one guaranteed year and team options for two more.

1. April 2026Sale to Tom Dundon's group approved
2. June 2026Tiago Splitter leaves to coach the Bulls
3. June 23, 2026Micah Nori hired as head coach
4. June 29, 2026Ja Morant acquired from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray

Six days later Portland made the big swing. Memphis sent Morant west for two forwards and $1 million in cash, with no draft picks involved. Morant, the 2020 Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, had played only 79 games in three seasons because of injuries and suspensions.

Lillard was already back. Waived by Milwaukee after tearing his Achilles in April 2025, he re-signed with Portland that July on a three-year deal and spent the whole 2025-26 season rehabbing. The backcourt now had Morant, Lillard, Holiday and Henderson, four players who have spent their careers running an offense.

Opening night against Phoenix was Lillard’s first regular-season game for Portland since 2023 and Morant’s first game since last winter, when an injury ended his final season in Memphis. The Blazers scored the first 21 points, on threes from Lillard, Morant, Avdija and Donovan Clingan. The Suns did not score until free throws with 5:54 left in the first quarter.

Blazers scoring vs. Phoenix, Oct. 21

Lillard made six threes in 24 minutes. Morant had 14 points and eight assists on 6-of-8 shooting, and finished plus-33. Nori pulled his starters early in the fourth quarter, and his players doused him with water in the locker room afterward.

The second game was harder. Sacramento led by 12 in the first quarter and 64-59 at halftime, and Portland had made only 4 of 22 threes. Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. scored 33 for the Kings and Domantas Sabonis had 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists.

The Blazers opened the third quarter on a 15-0 run, capped by a Camara three, and went 8 of 19 from deep in the period.

Portland points by quarter at Sacramento, Oct. 23

The Kings got within 121-118 on a Sabonis three with 3:21 left. Clingan answered with a basket and two free throws, and Avdija’s free throw with 43.5 seconds left closed it out, 128-120. Avdija led Portland with 26 points, six rebounds and six assists; Lillard and Camara scored 19 each.

Tuesday’s game in Los Angeles was against a Lakers team that was 3-0 and coming off Doncic’s 52 points in Utah. Doncic scored 16 in the first quarter and finished with 41, but Portland missed only 10 shots in the whole first half.

The Blazers took an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Doncic came back in and pulled the Lakers level, and the lead changed hands 11 times in the game.

Blazers scoring at the Lakers, Oct. 27

Morant hit mid-range jumpers on consecutive trips to put Portland up five. Lillard, who missed four free throws, then made his fourth three with 43 seconds left. The Blazers closed on a 15-8 run and won 136-129, handing the Lakers their first loss.

Morant went 9 of 13 for 23 points. Avdija added nine assists, Holiday scored 22 off the bench on 8-of-12 shooting, and Williams had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Reaves scored 26 for Los Angeles.

Points through three games

It is the franchise’s second 3-0 start in the last 15 years. No Blazer is averaging more than 22.3 points, and a different player has led the team in scoring in each game: Lillard against Phoenix, Avdija in Sacramento, and Morant and Avdija together in Los Angeles. That is how Nori has handled a roster with four lead guards.