Ja Morant didn’t pretend his first night in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform was flawless. He graded it honestly, admitted he was too passive at times, and said there’s still plenty to clean up. But the bigger takeaway for Morant is what that debut might eventually mean once he and Damian Lillard really get rolling together.
After practice on Thursday, Morant looked past the stat line from Wednesday’s 123-118 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors and focused on the fit. He finished with 3-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes and four turnovers, then gave himself a “six and a half” when asked to assess the performance.
“Definitely could have been better offensively. Going back and watching, I was a little passive. I just got to be more decisive when I have the ball.”
That self-critique matched what he said he’s been hearing from Portland’s staff and from Lillard. The instruction, Morant said, has been simple: keep attacking.
“Talking with the coaches last night, today, and then with Dame yesterday, they were telling me to stay aggressive,” Morant said. “Obviously, when I’m playing like me, it opens up a lot more on the floor for everybody else.”
For Morant, that’s the tricky part. He sees himself as a pass-first guard, which makes the push to stay assertive feel a little unnatural.
“It’s tough because I feel like I’m a natural point guard. I’m not selfish at all, so that’s definitely a tough part,” Morant said.
He also pointed out that Wednesday was his first game action since January, so a slow start didn’t catch him off guard. He said he isn’t concerned about where things stand right now.
What he is focused on is the potential for the Blazers’ offense when he and Lillard start setting the tone together. Deni Avdija led Portland with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting in the opener, and Morant expects nights like that to become a regular part of the picture.
“Me and Dame’s job is to continue to just make sure everything’s in the right place, everybody’s in the right spots in their strengths, and just let them go be them,” Morant said.
He also singled out Scoot Henderson, offering a direct endorsement of the young point guard’s readiness.
“He’s ready. He’s ready for sure,” Morant said.
Ja Morant, after practice today, discussed last night’s game:
— Sahal Arwo (@ArwoNBA) October 8, 2026
- 6.5/10 for himself last night; could have been better offensively.
- Was told by his teammates he was passive and noticed it when he watched the film. Dame and the coaching staff are encouraging him to play more… pic.twitter.com/WENSjate1W
Lillard, back in Portland after recovering from a torn Achilles, scored 15 points in his return. Morant, who came to Portland in a June trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, said the change of scenery has brought a welcome energy.
“I feel like everybody should be happy and have joy for a fresh start,” Morant said.
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Yang Hansen Still Has One Big Hurdle In Portlands Rotation
Yang Hansens first year with the Trail Blazers left him still searching for a foothold in the rotation, a familiar place for a young big man trying to earn trust in the frontcourt. The 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft flashed enough promise to stay on the radar, but his role heading into the 2026-27 season is still very much unsettled as Portland sorts through its depth inside.
A recent preseason outing offered another small step without changing the larger picture, and that is where the intrigue sits for the Blazers. Hansens development will matter, but so will the competition for minutes around him, and Portlands willingness to carve out a real role for him may depend on how quickly he can separate himself in a crowded front line. [Read more 🡒]