{
  "id": 14431219,
  "title": "Blazers hope to build on last season with Damian Lillard returning and addition of Ja Morant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/blazers-hope-to-build-on-last-season-with-damian-lillard-returning",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T11:00:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/2026/10/14/blazers-hope-to-build-on-last-season-with-damian-lillard-returning-and-addition-of-ja-morant"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Portland Trail Blazers aim to build upon their last season's performance with the return of Damian Lillard and the addition of Ja Morant. Last season, the team went 42-40 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs. Head coach Micah Nori, a first-time NBA coach, replaced the departed Tiago Splitter. The Blazers bid farewell to players Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and Matisse Thybulle, while bringing in Morant, Branden Carlson, Micah Potter, and Jeremy Sochan. The roster now boasts a strong lineup of guards, with Lillard returning from an Achilles injury and Morant adding a new dynamic to the position. Lillard, the team's all-time leading scorer and a fan favorite, had to rebuild his confidence after tearing his Achilles tendon during the playoffs. The Blazers also have emerging talent like Deni Avdija and Yang Hansen, who has shown potential but still needs to prove himself as a development project. Despite some concerns about Morant's past behavior and the challenges of fitting into a crowded guard lineup, the Trail Blazers are optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming season.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Portland Trail Blazers aim to improve on 42-40 record from last season",
    "Damian Lillard returns from Achilles injury, Ja Morant adds dynamic guard",
    "Team faces challenges with crowded guard lineup and Morant's past behavior"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}