Blazers may start Damian Lillard, Ja Morant even if it ‘doesn’t make sense’

Micah Nori knows starting Damian Lillard and Ja Morant together might not make perfect basketball sense. He’s probably going to do it anyway.

The Blazers coach acknowledged that the pairing presents some obvious questions, but told The Athletic that he’s leaning toward opening games with both star guards.

“It’s not set in stone, but probably, because I’m leaning toward wanting to see what it looks like,” Nori said. “And … I don’t want to start a fire before I need to.”

That’s probably the most sensible explanation for doing something that Nori himself admits might not make sense.

Lillard has already said he expects both guards to start. Morant, meanwhile, sounds considerably less concerned with who hears his name announced before tipoff.

“I think winning is the most important thing for me, so whatever role I have to play to get that done, I think nobody will be mad afterward,” Morant said. “If I’m starting, if I’m not, it’s the same thing.”

The fit will be fascinating. Both are accustomed to having the ball, neither is known primarily for his defense, and Portland will have to determine how the partnership works alongside the rest of the starting lineup.

But that’s what October is for. Nori has two dynamic guards. It seems as if he’d rather find out whether they can play together before explaining to one of them why he isn’t starting.

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