Lillard Morant starting lineup: Blazers’ bold new 5 revealed

Dustin Judge
Lillard Morant starting lineup: Damian Lillard competes in the 2026 NBA All-Star three-point contest

The Lillard Morant starting lineup is shaping up as the Portland Trail Blazers’ biggest storyline of training camp. Damian Lillard said he expects he and Ja Morant to start together on opening night alongside Deni Avdija, according to Rose Garden Report.

Lillard Morant starting lineup takes shape under Nori

Coach Micah Nori has not overthought it. Yahoo Sports reported the expected starting five is Lillard, Morant, Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan. Jrue Holiday, Robert Williams III and Scoot Henderson are the main backup options, so the Lillard Morant starting lineup looks settled for now.

“I’d rather finish the game than start the game,” Nori said, per Yahoo Sports. “I’m not worried about the 6-4 basket, I’m more worried about the 112-110 bucket.” It is his first full-time head coaching job after two decades as an NBA assistant.

Lillard and Morant on making the fit work

Both guards sounded upbeat after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s fun. There’s so much space with Dame out there,” Morant said. Lillard said he is willing to share the ball. “I’m gonna give them space,” he said.

Nori called the pairing a “feeling-out process” during the first two days of camp. Morant, a career 31.1% 3-point shooter, said he wants more catch-and-shoot chances next to Lillard. For more on the fit, see our report on Lillard’s view of Portland’s crowded backcourt and the Jrue Holiday report.

Blazers fire broadcaster Braiden Bell

The lineup news arrived on a rough day off the court. Portland announced Braiden Bell as its new play-by-play broadcaster on Thursday, Oct. 1, then fired him hours later after racist and sexist social media posts surfaced, KATU reported.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments,” the team said. It added: “We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City.”

What’s next

The Blazers open the preseason Wednesday, Oct. 7 against Golden State at Moda Center, then host the London Lions on Monday, Oct. 12. The Lillard Morant starting lineup gets its first game test then.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.