Blazer's Edge
The ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazers
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Blazers Open NBA Season Against the Suns Tonight
The Portland Trail Blazers kick off the 2026‑27 NBA season at home against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 21 at 7:00 pm PT. The marquee story is Damian Lillard’s return alongside newcomer Ja Morant, while Phoenix’s controversial acquisition of Miles Bridges draws criticism. Both teams sit at 0‑0; the Blazers list injuries to Brandon Carlson, Shaedon Sharpe and others, with Deni Avdija questionable. The Suns deal with Mark Williams out and Luke Kennard doubtful, and will rely on a strong three‑point offense (40.8 attempts per game last year). Analysts debate the trade value of Bridges versus Morant, setting up a compelling Western Conference opener.
Join us for the 2026-27 Blazers season on the SB Nation app
Blazer's Edge reminds fans that the new SB Nation app—launched two months ago—is now live across North America, with Europe coming soon. The app consolidates articles, Feed posts, and community comments onto a single stream, featuring a real‑time game chat that speeds up replies and notifications. Since release, user activity has set three single‑day commenting records, and the platform promises fewer ads, seamless community navigation, and quicker posting. Available for iOS and Android, the app aims to make NBA game days more interactive for Portland Trail Blazers fans and the broader basketball community.
Avdija Questionable to Play in Regular-Season Opener
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is listed as questionable for the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PDT due to right ankle soreness, the team's latest NBA.com injury report shows. The issue was not noted during the preseason, and no further details were given. Additionally, reserve big Branden Carlson misses the game on concussion protocol after a head injury against Golden State, big man Micah Potter is questionable with an illness, and two‑way guard Chris Youngblood sits with left ankle soreness, leaving the Blazers’ front court thin for the opener.
Oregonians Taking Dim View of Tom Dundon, Trail Blazers
A recent Oregonian poll reveals Portland Trail Blazers fans are increasingly indifferent to keeping the team local and largely distrustful of owner Tom Dundon. Surveyed among 600 registered voters, 64% statewide consider the team’s presence unimportant, while only 55% of Portland residents share that view. Favorability toward Dundon is low—just 7% favorable overall and 5% in the city, versus 36% and 59% unfavorable respectively. The poll also shows mixed feelings about a proposed renovation of the Moda Center, highlighting a growing disconnect between the franchise and its community.
Blazers Fans Have Serious Confidence in Lillard, Morant Durability
A recent FanDuel poll of Portland Trail Blazers fans shows overwhelming confidence that the newly formed backcourt of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant will each play at least 50 games this season. Seventy‑seven percent of respondents answered “yes” to both players reaching the 50‑game mark, while only 5% doubted either will. The optimism comes despite both stars missing significant time due to injuries in recent years, underscoring strong fan belief in their durability for the 2026‑27 campaign.
Familiar Face Returns to Blazers Coverage
Former Trail Blazers broadcaster Casey Holdahl returns to the local scene after being laid off in Spring 2026. He will co‑host the new post‑game show “Rip City Wrap‑up” alongside media personalities Joe Simons and Guillermo Motta on KUNP/KATU News, providing fresh analysis after most Blazers games this season. The announcement marks a notable shift in Portland’s basketball coverage and promises a revamped look for fans tuning in.
Predicting the NBA’s Northwest Division in 2026-27
The blog forecasts the 2026‑27 Northwest Division standings, emphasizing travel fatigue and roster changes. Utah Jazz, led by rookie Darryn Peterson (2nd‑overall pick) and a 7‑foot frontcourt featuring Lauri Markanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., are projected to be competitive under Will Hardy. Minnesota Timberwolves, after a blockbuster trade for LaMelo Ball and additions like Jonathan Kuminga, aim to pair him with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert for a dynamic backcourt and stout defense. The article also notes the division’s heavy travel schedule and its impact on playoff tiebreakers.
Damian Lillard: ‘I’m Not an Old Man’
Damian Lillard, back after missing the 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles, says he feels fresh and expects a reduced, off‑ball role to preserve his health for the playoffs. In three preseason games he averaged 17.3 points in 22.7 minutes, shooting 38% from three. At 36, Lillard stresses he isn’t “an old man” but is managing minutes wisely. Meanwhile, the Blazers focus on improving defensive rebounding, a weakness highlighted by a 10‑offensive‑rebound loss to Golden State, with coach Micah Nori emphasizing team effort and drill repetition.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets Agree on Contract Extension
The Charlotte Hornets lock up rookie star Brandon Miller with a five‑year, $209 million extension, making him the franchise’s highest‑paid player. Miller, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft, rebounded from an injury‑marred sophomore year to average 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 44/38/89 shooting in 65 games during the 2025‑26 season. The deal cements his role as a centerpiece of Charlotte’s rebuild after trading LaMelo Ball, and pairs him with rookie‑of‑the‑year runner‑up Kon Knueppel as the Hornets eye a stronger playoff push.
Waiver Wire Gets Busy on the Eve of the 2026-27 NBA Regular Season
The waiver wire heats up on the eve of the 2026-27 NBA season as teams trim rosters. The Los Angeles Lakers cut 2024 first‑round pick Dalton Knecht, while the Milwaukee Bucks release veteran guard Kevin Porter Jr., both confirmed by Shams Charania. In a surprise move, the Dallas Mavericks part ways with longtime forward Dwight Powell after 12 seasons, as reported by ESPN. These roster reductions set the stage for the upcoming regular season.
Day of Truth Arrives for Scoot Henderson Contract Extension
The NBA's deadline to extend rookie contracts hits today at 3 PM Pacific, and Portland's 2023 third‑overall pick Scoot Henderson is in the spotlight. Henderson has appeared in 158 games, averaging 13.5 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.9 turnovers in 27 minutes per outing. If the Blazers seal a deal now, his extension kicks in next season; otherwise he heads into restricted free agency after the upcoming year. Analysts note a weak market for restricted free agents and doubt an agreement will be reached, but the situation remains fluid.
Tom Dundon: The Priority is to Keep the Blazers in Portland
Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon says keeping the franchise in Portland is his top priority, rebutting rumors that he’s pursuing relocation. In a text exchange with The Athletic, Dundon denied discussing a move with league officials, noting the NBA pushed him to focus on a Portland solution. Negotiations continue on a long‑term lease and Moda Center renovation, with city funds and a Dec. 31 state funding deadline looming. commissioner Adam Silver and local officials also back a Portland stay, and Dundon hopes a deal can be reached before the city council’s Dec. 17 deadline.
The Portland Trail Blazers 2026-27 Season Preview: What’s New?
The Portland Trail Blazers launch their 2026-27 campaign with a revamped roster and new coaching under Micah Nori. Damian Lillard returns from Achilles rehab, showing polished shooting and solid defense, while sharing backcourt duties with rising star Deni Avdija, whose chemistry with Lillard appears promising. The biggest surprise is the acquisition of former All-Star point guard Ja Morant from Memphis, now likely to serve as a dynamic sixth‑man rather than a starter, adding explosive scoring off the bench. Though the team missed the 2026 draft, the frontcourt remains defensively focused. The preview highlights how these key guard combos and defensive identity could shape the Blazers' chances against early opponents like the Phoenix Suns.
Thunder, Suns Hand Out Rookie Extensions as Deadline Approaches
The NBA rookie extension deadline looms, with the Phoenix Suns sealing a three‑year, $29 million deal for young center Oso Ighodaro and the Oklahoma City Thunder locking down All‑Defensive guard Cason Wallace on a five‑year, $139 million rookie‑scale contract. Both extensions were confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, and more deals are expected before the 2026‑27 season tip‑off on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson remains unsigned, hinting at further negotiations today.
Sidy Cissoko is Essential to This Blazers Roster
Sidy Cissoko joined the Portland Trail Blazers with very little fanfare in the aftermath of the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. The Frenchman had failed to stick with the San Antonio Spurs after being taken by the Texas franchise, one pick behind fellow countryman Rayan Rupert at the 2023 Draft. By February 2025, the second-round pick […]
Trail Blazers Waive Jeremy Sochan
The Portland Trail Blazers have waived reserve forward Jeremy Sochan, the organization announced Saturday. The Blazers had signed Sochan, 23, in early August to a non-guaranteed deal, giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp and preseason. The 6-foot-8 forward appeared in all four of Portland’s preseason games, averaging 6 […]
Blazers Fall to Warriors in Final Preseason Game
The Portland Trail Blazers lost their final preseason game on Friday evening, falling 128-118 while visiting the Golden State Warriors. After the Blazers led by many as eight early in the first quarter, Golden State found their legs and honed their collective shooting eye to comfortably outdistance Portland’s rotation players. The end of the Blazers’ […]
Discuss Blazers vs Warriors Preseason Action Here!
The Portland Trail Blazers will close out their preseason slate tonight with a road matchup against the Golden State Warriors! The comment section below is your spot to hang with fellow fans tonight and discuss all the action as it plays out live. Here’s the GameDay details: Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors | […]
NBA, Gambling Sportsbooks Agree to Limit Bets
The NBA has reached an agreement with prominent sportsbooks to eliminate certain types of bets from the gambling landscape. The move targets wagers that can be easily manipulated by players or other involved parties. It comes on the heels of federal indictments of former NBA players and coaches in 2025, alleging bet-fixing on player-stats-based wagers. […]
Blazers Edge Roundtable: What is Portland’s ceiling for this season?
Remember the oft-used marketing slogan the Portland Trail Blazers once used, “Rise With Us?” Over the years the slogan has been amalgamated to convey the same thing, such as, Rip City Rising. We Rise Together, etc. The franchise has often leaned hard into selling the potential of an underdog in the midst of its development. […]
Former Blazers Broadcaster Tom Haberstroh Joins Philadelphia 76ers
Former Portland Trail Blazers statistician and broadcast team member Tom Haberstroh has joined the Philadelphia 76ers broadcast crew as a sideline reporter. Haberstroh announced the move via X today. Following a national stint at ESPN, Haberstroh joined the Trail Blazers in 2023 as an analytics expert. He was part of the mass of layoffs from […]
NBA Expansion Wrangling Continues as Mexico City Enters Discussion
In a move to up the bidding price for expansion in Seattle, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has brought up Mexico City as a possible alternative for a new expansion franchise. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the prospect of a new team south of the border came up at the NBA Board of Governors meeting […]
Why Tom Dundon’s Approach to NBA Ownership Sucks
News broke yesterday that the Portland Trail Blazers hired long-time radio voice Travis Demers to become their television play-by-play broadcaster. It was a promotion from within for a familiar face after a tumultuous summer of controversy surrounding the position. It should have been a moment of relief and gratitude. Instead it’s turned into the latest […]
Blazers Signing Caleb Houstan to Exhibit 10 Contract
The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to sign 6-foot-8 guard/forward Caleb Houstan to an Exhibit 10 contract, and he’s expected to join Portland’s G League affiliate Rip City Remix, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reported Thursday. Houstan, 23, has appeared in 186 NBA games over the past four seasons. The Orlando Magic drafted Houstan as […]
All the Trail Blazers Mentioned in the 2026-27 NBA GM Survey
The NBA has released results of their annual survey of General Managers, polling the opinions of multiple executives on the league’s best and brightest. The survey includes predictions of the eventual NBA Champion (the San Antonio Spurs, followed closely by the Oklahoma City Thunder), league MVP (Victor Wembanyama in a runaway), and much more. The […]
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