Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori praised his team’s mindset and defensive intensity after a 119-66 preseason victory over the London Lions on Monday, while highlighting Deni Avdija’s efficiency, Ja Morant’s adjustment to the team and Yang Hansen’s progress.
“I did like the approach, quite honestly,” Nori said after the game. “I just like the way that the guys started. Everybody that played in the game played the right way.”
Portland outscored London 72-33 in the first half and held the British side to 30% shooting from the field. Nori was particularly pleased with the defensive performance, although he pointed to one area that needs improvement.
“When you hold a team three times under 17 points in quarters, you’re doing something defensively,” he said. “Obviously, don’t like the 19 turnovers, but I did like the way we competed.”
Avdija finished with nine points, five rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from the field. Nori said the forward was making the right decisions and benefiting from the talent around him.
“I just think that he’s really been efficient,” Nori said. “I think he’s making the right play. He’s doing what we asked him to do.”
The coach also explained that Portland has adjusted Avdija’s playing pattern, using three shorter stints rather than two longer stretches to keep him fresh throughout the first half.
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Nori expects that approach to extend to other players, pointing to the team’s depth as a potential advantage during the season.
“One of the superpowers of this team is the depth, even with Shaedon being out, who we miss immensely,” Nori said. “We’ve got a lot of good NBA basketball players, and especially if we can keep them fresh, that’s an advantage to us.”
He added that shorter stints could help Portland maintain its energy while giving the coaching staff more flexibility to choose lineups based on offensive and defensive needs late in games.
Morant recorded five points and five assists in 14 minutes against London. Nori believes the guard will become increasingly effective as he builds familiarity with his teammates and returns to a regular playing rhythm.
“I think he’s going to continue to get better and better and better as he learns his teammates,” Nori said.
The coach emphasized the importance of Morant attacking the paint, explaining that the resulting reads should become clearer as he settles in.
“As he gets in there, he can get wherever he wants to go,” Nori said. “Those decisions are going to come a little bit clearer.”
Nori concluded his assessment with a confident prediction for the upcoming campaign: “I think that Ja is going to be very, very good for us this year. I really do.”
The coach was also encouraged by Hansen’s performance. The sophomore center scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added four assists in 21 minutes, taking advantage of an extended opportunity with Robert Williams III unavailable.
Nori praised Hansen’s passing, touch around the basket and willingness to compete defensively, while noting that Portland has challenged him to execute in its drop coverage.
“I’m fine with Hansen. I think that he’s really competing,” Nori said. “I like the way he’s progressing.”
Portland improved to 2-0 in preseason with the victory. While Nori acknowledged that one exhibition game offered limited conclusions, he liked the team’s approach and saw encouraging signs from several players as the Blazers continue preparing for the 2026-27 season.
