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New Trail Blazers Coach Micah Nori Setting Himself Up for Ja Morant Drama Already?

Is new Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori already setting himself up for Ja Morant drama?

Published: Friday, 2 October 2026 at 5:56 PM
New Trail Blazers Coach Micah Nori Setting Himself Up for Ja Morant Drama Already?
Key Things to Know
  • Jason Burgos argues Micah Nori risks conflict by not guaranteeing Ja Morant and Damian Lillard starting roles.
  • Micah Nori stated that starting Morant and Lillard is "not set in stone, but probably" for opening night.
  • The writer believes Nori must start the duo to build chemistry and prevent player dissatisfaction.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Sportsnaut's Jason Burgos argues that new Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori risks early drama by hesitating to commit to Ja Morant and Damian Lillard as his starting backcourt. When asked if the duo would start on opening night, Nori told reporters that it is "not set in stone, but probably" as he evaluates how the combination looks on the court.

Burgos believes Nori should decisively name both players as starters to avoid potential frustration and locker-room conflict, noting Morant's past dissatisfaction with his usage in Memphis. The article outlines Portland's crowded guard rotation, which also includes Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe heading into the season.

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