Jason Quick
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Articles by Jason Quick
How are the Memphis Grizzlies 5-0? Hustle, muscle … and Cameron Boozer
PORTLAND, Ore. — They lined the back hallways of the Moda Center and clapped Thursday night. Assistant coaches, front office executives, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning personnel … shoot, the bus driver might have been there too … all clapping, all hollering, all raising a ruckus rarely heard in these corridors.
Ja Morant downplays first game against Grizzlies: ‘Not a big grudge guy’
PORTLAND, Ore. — Saying he is “not a big grudge guy,” Ja Morant said Thursday’s meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies, his former team, will be “just another basketball game on the schedule.” “Nothing harsh from me for Memphis,” Morant said. “At all.” After being the franchise pillar in Memphis for his first seven years, Morant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Ja Morant and his shimmery shoes give extra flash to Trail Blazers’ sparkling start
LOS ANGELES – He claimed his shoes were studded with diamonds. Yes, diamonds. Real ones, he said, scattered about his red-and-black Nikes, which sparkled spectacularly under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena. “Believe it,” Ja Morant said when questioned whether those diamonds on his shoes were authentic. “They better be real; they from Nike.” They were a gift from his shoe sponsor, delivered before the season with a red bow and a diamond medallion with Morant’s logo.
Ja Morant and his shimmery shoes give extra flash to Trail Blazers’ sparkling start
LOS ANGELES – He claimed his shoes were studded with diamonds. Yes, diamonds. Real ones, he said, scattered about his red-and-black Nikes, which sparkled spectacularly under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena. “Believe it,” Ja Morant said when questioned whether those diamonds on his shoes were authentic. “They better be real; they from Nike.” They were a gift from his shoe sponsor, delivered before the season with a red bow and a diamond medallion with Morant’s logo.
Jalen Williams’ injury is a fractured fibula, dislocated left ankle
All-Star forward Jalen Williams has suffered a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle, according to general manager Sam Presti, a major setback for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s title hopes. Williams will undergo surgery, and a timetable will become clear after the procedure, Presti announced Monday. The 25-year-old suffered the gruesome injury in the final minute of Sunday’s game against the LA Clippers. Williams’ lower left leg buckled as he landed after a drive to the basket.
Jalen Suggs to miss at least 2 weeks with knee bruise. Can Magic survive another injury? Original
Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs will be re-evaluated in two weeksafter suffering a mild bone bruise to his right knee in Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks, the team announced Monday. Suggs, 25, went up for an uncontested layup in the fourth quarter when his right knee buckled. He writhed in pain on the baseline and had to be helped to the locker room. It’s the second significant player injury absorbed by the Magic over the weekend.
NBA Power Rankings: Lakers leap into contenders tier; Knicks, Heat take a dive
Save those bookmarks for last week’s Power Rankings! While we set a baseline for potential receipt material, we can now move toward a more meritocratic approach. We have real games to respond to, which makes these rankings notoriously volatile over the next few weeks. One week of games does leave me with some questions. So, let’s ask them, since we’ll be coming back to those as well. Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team.
NBA season live updates: Jalen Williams' brutal injury, Luka Dončić's 52-point night, Knicks fall to 0-3 and more opening-week reactions
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BREAKING: NBA reschedules Cavs-Hawks game to accommodate WNBA Finals State Farm Arena will host Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (ET), the WNBA announced on Monday morning. It will be a double-header before the Atlanta Hawks, who host the Cleveland Cavaliers that evening, now at 8 p.m. ET.
By Mike Prada, Annie Costabile Verified, Zach Harper Verified, Christian Clark, Jon Krawczynski Verified, Jason Quick Verified, Hunter Patterson, Mike Vorkunov Verified, Caleb Slinkard Verified, John Hollinger Verified
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The New York Times
Verified
Ja Morant, Damian Lillard and a scene the Trail Blazers hope defines their season
SACRAMENTO — Before we get into the importance of Toumani Camara, the heroics of Robert Williams III, the unstoppable force that is Deni Avdija and the grit-and-grind of Sidy Cissoko, please consider this scene from the Trail Blazers’ 128-120 victory over Sacramento on Friday night.
Damian Lillard is back where he belongs. Portland has balance again
PORTLAND, Ore. — For two-plus hours Wednesday, Portland was one. Didn’t matter if you vote red … or blue. Didn’t matter if Portland’s homeless problem makes you sick … or sympathetic. Didn’t matter if you think the best pizza in town is Apizza Scholls … or Ken’s Artisan. For once, we all agreed on something: Damian Lillard is back where he belongs.
Blazers’ Damian Lillard feasts on Phoenix in triumphant return to Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Any questions about the effectiveness of 36-year-old Damian Lillard returning from an Achilles injury were emphatically answered Wednesday. In his first game with the Portland Trail Blazers since March 2023, Lillard hit six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Blazers to a 124-83 win over the Phoenix Suns. After requesting a trade that summer, he played two seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks before suffering a ruptured right Achilles in April 2025.
Micah Nori likes ‘to get in and just go.’ Are the Blazers ready for a fast start?
PORTLAND, Ore. — When Micah Nori pulls his black Ford F-150 pickup into the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility every morning, the coach intentionally overshoots his assigned parking space and shifts into reverse. He is one of those guys who backs into his spot. Nori went through a list of explanations for the back-in.
As Damian Lillard soaks in Portland’s love, Meyers Leonard wonders: Did he make a ripple?
PORTLAND, Ore. — When Meyers Leonard boarded a flight Tuesday that would take him from Nashville to Portland, it was with mixed emotions. There was conviction in the meaning of his trip: For the first time in three years, Damian Lillard would be playing for the Trail Blazers, and as a former teammate, Leonard wanted to be at Moda Center on Wednesday to bear witness. He wanted to be there to pay respect. To show Lillard what he meant to him as a friend. Leonard needed to be there.
As Damian Lillard soaks in Portland’s love, Meyers Leonard wonders: Did he make a ripple?
PORTLAND, Ore. — When Meyers Leonard boarded a flight Tuesday that would take him from Nashville to Portland, it was with mixed emotions. There was conviction in the meaning of his trip: For the first time in three years, Damian Lillard would be playing for the Trail Blazers, and as a former teammate, Leonard wanted to be at Moda Center on Wednesday to bear witness. He wanted to be there to pay respect. To show Lillard what he meant to him as a friend. Leonard needed to be there.
Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers unable to agree on rookie contract extension: Source
PORTLAND, Ore. — Scoot Henderson’s long-term future in Portland is uncertain. There will be no rookie contract extension agreement between Henderson and the Trail Blazers before the Oct. 19 deadline, according to a league source who was granted anonymity because the decision has not been made official. The No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will become a restricted free agent after this season, after which the Blazers can match offers made from other teams.
Micah Nori is taking an Ernest Hemingway approach with Blazers players, coaches
PORTLAND, Ore. — It was August, during the first meeting with his staff, when new Portland Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori gave each of his coaches a gift: a paperback copy of Ernest Hemingway’s novella, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Nori had spent the majority of the meeting laying out expectations of his staff: how he wanted game plans to look, how practices would be structured and the roles of each coach. The gift – the classic book published in 1952 – was the string to tie it all together.
Micah Nori is taking an Ernest Hemingway approach with Blazers players, coaches
PORTLAND, Ore. — It was August, during the first meeting with his staff, when new Portland Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori gave each of his coaches a gift: a paperback copy of Ernest Hemingway’s novella, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Nori had spent the majority of the meeting laying out expectations of his staff: how he wanted game plans to look, how practices would be structured and the roles of each coach. The gift — the classic book published in 1952 — was the string to tie it all together.
For Tee Morant, an introduction from Blazers’ Tom Dundon goes a long way
PORTLAND, Ore. — The most notable moment of Monday’s exhibition game in Portland came before the game, when Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon walked 25 feet from his baseline seats to introduce himself to Tee Morant, the father of Blazers guard Ja Morant. “What I love about it the most is he introduced himself,” Tee Morant told The Athletic.
The Athletic: The Ja Morant experience with the Trail Blazers is all smiles
A happy Ja Morant has been a familiar sight this preseason for the Portland Trail Blazers. Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams. *** PORTLAND — For years, the general manager studied him from afar. And when the Portland Trail Blazers decided to make a splash and trade for Ja Morant this summer, their new coach flew across the country to meet with him.
The Ja Morant experience with the Trail Blazers has everyone smiling so far
PORTLAND, Ore. — For years, the general manager studied him from afar. And when the Portland Trail Blazers decided to make a splash and trade for Ja Morant this summer, their new coach flew across the country to meet with him. But no matter how much Joe Cronin did background checks, and no matter how well a steakhouse lunch in South Carolina with Micah Nori went, nobody was sure what the Morant experience would be like in Portland.
Steve Kerr says it would be ‘tragedy’ for Trail Blazers to ever leave Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said it would be “a tragedy” if the Trail Blazers left Portland should the team and city not come to terms on a long-term lease before a December deadline. “Oh, that would be a tragedy,” Kerr said. “I mean, Seattle was a tragedy.
Tom Dundon in letter to Trail Blazers fans: ‘My track record speaks for itself’
PORTLAND, Ore. – Amid growing controversy about tenure as Trail Blazers owner, Tom Dundon on Tuesday sent a letter to season ticket holders that assured them he is about winning, improving the Moda Center and “bringing a championship to Portland.’ “On the arena, our focus is the long term,’’ Dundon wrote in the email, which was sent to season ticket holders around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. “We’re working to make sure Moda Center remains one of the best buildings in the NBA.
Braiden Bell asks Trail Blazers to reinstate him as broadcaster after firing
PORTLAND, Ore. — Braiden Bell, the broadcaster hired and fired on the same day by the Portland Trail Blazers for insensitive social media posts, has asked for the team to reconsider and reinstate him. “Braiden is not asking anyone to excuse what he wrote,” said Arnie Herz, Bell’s legal counsel. “He has owned it, without excuses.
Tom Dundon’s Blazers can’t avoid drama. Instead, it’s all about Dundon | Commentary
PORTLAND, Ore. – I wanted to give Tom Dundon a chance as Trail Blazers owner. I really did. Yes, he was clumsy, arrogant and stubborn when he bought the franchise in March … but give him time, I thought. Six months later, I think all of us in Portland can say, let us off this ride.
Tom Dundon’s Blazers can’t avoid drama. Instead, it’s all about Dundon
PORTLAND, Ore. — I wanted to give Tom Dundon a chance as Trail Blazers owner. I really did. Yes, he was clumsy, arrogant and stubborn when he bought the franchise in March … but give him time, I thought. Six months later, I think all of us in Portland can say, let us off this ride.
Micah Nori Likely To Start Damian Lillard, Ja Morant Despite It 'Not Making Sense'
Portland Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori knows he has some decisions to make with who starts in his backcourt. Nori said it doesn't make sense to start both Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, but that he's probably leaning that way anyway. "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." Lillard previously said he believes that both he and Morant would start.
Ja Morant and Damian Lillard starting in the same backcourt? It could happen in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — The biggest decision of Micah Nori’s head-coaching career is upon him: Who starts at guard on a Portland Trail Blazers team that features franchise legend Damian Lillard, two-time All-Star Ja Morant, two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in 2023? After the first day of training camp Tuesday, Lillard responded to a question about his role and said that, as far as he knew, the starting lineup would include Morant, himself and Deni Avdija.
Trail Blazers broadcaster fired for past racist, sexist social media posts
PORTLAND, Ore. — The same day the Portland Trail Blazers announced the hiring of television broadcaster Braiden Bell, the team has fired him because of past social media posts. KGW-TV reported the posts were made when Bell was a teenager in 2012 and 2013. Bell, 29, was the television play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. “The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist or harmful comments,’’ the team said in a statement.
Trail Blazers broadcaster fired hours after hiring for past racist, sexist social media posts
PORTLAND, Ore. — The same day the Portland Trail Blazers announced the hiring of television broadcaster Braiden Bell, the team has fired him because of past social media posts. KGW-TV reported the posts were made when Bell was a teenager in 2012 and 2013. Bell, 29, was the television play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. “The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist or harmful comments,’’ the team said in a statement.
Portland Trail Blazers hire Braiden Bell as new TV play-by-play announcer
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers have hired 29-year-old Braiden Bell as their television play-by-play announcer. He will replace veteran Kevin Calabro, team president Dewayne Hankins said. Bell most recently called games for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, as well as the NBA G League’s Valley Suns. He replaces Calabro, a longtime NBA veteran who left the team after nine seasons after he received what he called a low offer from owner Tom Dundon.
What happened at Trail Blazers media day: Dame’s return looms; Ja Morant ‘settled’
PORTLAND, Ore. — As expected, Portland Trail Blazers media day featured an interesting mix of news from on and off the court. Here are five takeaways from Monday’s set of interviews: Hankins says Blazers committed to staying For the first time since the Blazers have been in negotiations with the city of Portland over a new arena lease, the team came out and said it wants to stay in Portland.
Blazers send strong message amid arena standoff: ‘We are committed to Portland’
PORTLAND, Ore. — For the first time under new ownership, the Portland Trail Blazers publicly stated their desire to remain in Portland as they continue negotiations with the city on a new arena lease. “We are committed to a deal that works for our ownership. We are committed to a deal that works for our public partners. We are doing everything we can to ensure the Trail Blazers are staying right here,” team president Dewayne Hankins said on Monday.
What to expect at Trail Blazers’ NBA media day: Arena updates and Damian Lillard’s return
The Portland Trail Blazers’ media day on Monday should have an interesting mix of news from on and off the court. President Dewayne Hankins is scheduled to open the 9 a.m. PT event at Moda Center for his annual state-of-the-business report. This year, his address will be especially relevant, as Hankins is one of the point men in the Blazers’ negotiations for a new arena lease. Will he provide insight to where the negotiations stand as the December deadline nears?
Damian Lillard is again looking like one of the NBA’s toughest players to guard
PORTLAND, Ore. — Throughout his three NBA seasons, Portland Trail Blazers wing Toumani Camara has emerged as one of the NBA’s better defenders. While being entrusted to guard NBA royalty such as LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jamal Murray and Tyrese Maxey, Camara has garnered NBA All-Defensive votes in every season, and he was named to the second team in 2024-25.
Nicolas Batum announces retirement after 18 seasons in the NBA
“You know, when you have played as much basketball as I have, at some point you have to know when to stop,’’ Batum said in the video, in which he discusses his decision to retire with his son, Ayden. Batum, 37, played 74 games last season with the LA Clippers, averaging 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 17.5 minutes a game.
Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe suffers torn meniscus, expected to miss significant time
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during a workout in Portland last week, a league source confirmed to The Athletic, a significant setback for the 23-year-old guard and the up-and-coming Blazers. ESPN, which first reported the news, said Sharpe is expected to miss six months.
Trail Blazers have commitments to fund arena renovations. Now comes the hard part
PORTLAND, Ore. — From the outside, it appears the Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of accepting a substantial, publicly funded arena renovation package in exchange for a long-term commitment to the city of Portland. But in reality, the process has just begun. And that process is no longer a simple transaction between the team and the public.
Trail Blazers have commitments to fund arena renovations. Now comes the hard part
PORTLAND, Ore. -- From the outside, it appears the Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of accepting a substantial, publicly funded arena renovation package in exchange for a long-term commitment to the city of Portland. But in reality, the process has just begun. And that process is no longer a simple transaction between the team and the public.
Blazers Move Closer To Securing Requested Public Funding For Arena Renovations
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a term sheet Thursday that would provide up to $101.6 million toward renovating the 31-year-old Moda Center, moving the Portland Trail Blazers closer to securing requested public funding. The board voted 4-1 in favor, with the approved amount $13.6 million higher than the original $88 million proposal from March, reflecting additional maintenance and service costs. County chair Jessica Vega Pederson addressed the significance of the vote.
Trail Blazers arena renovation takes first step toward funding as county approves term sheet
The Portland Trail Blazers moved one step closer to receiving the public funding they have requested to renovate the Moda Center after the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a term sheet that would approve up to $101.6 million to redo the 31-year-old arena. The board voted 4-1 to approve the funding, which is $13.6 million more than the original $88 million proposed in March.
Trail Blazers arena renovation takes another step toward funding as county approves term sheet
The Portland Trail Blazers moved one step closer to receiving the public funding they have requested to renovate the Moda Center after the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a term sheet that would approve up to $101.6 million to redo the 31-year-old arena. The board voted 4-1 to approve the funding, which is $13.6 million more than the original $88 million proposed in March.
Blazers, Portland Officials Have 'Significant' Distance In Using Public Funds To Renovate Moda Center
Portland Trail Blazers officials met with Portland city councilors to discuss the possibility of committing public funds to renovate the Moda Center on Thursday. There remains a "significant" distance between the two sides on whether the city will fund $573 million to update the area in exchange for a 20-year lease that keeps the Blazers in Portland. “Today was a show from the Blazers that they are serious about coming to the table,’’ Portland city council president Jamie Dunphy said.
Trail Blazers, city of Portland finally meet, but distance to arena deal remains ‘significant’ Original
PORTLAND, Ore. — The good news for basketball fans in this region: The Portland Trail Blazers and the city of Portland finally got in a room and talked on Thursday. The bad news: Both sides remain divided — deeply divided — on whether the city will give the team $573 million in public funding for arena improvements in exchange for a 20-year lease that keeps the team in Portland.
Why are the Trail Blazers fighting with the city of Portland? Could it lead to relocation? Original
Against the backdrop of the championship success of his other franchise, the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, perhaps Blazers fans could be convinced to give Dundon the benefit of the doubt for now. But a more pressing issue looms. Can the Trail Blazers and local government reach an agreement on funding renovations to the Moda Center and keep the team in Portland? Or will Dundon, who has been noncommittal about staying, move the team?
Trail Blazers reject Portland’s offer to discuss concerns over arena lease term sheet Original
An olive branch offered by the City of Portland to the Trail Blazers has been rejected by the team as the two sides remain far apart in arena lease negotiations. On Friday, Portland City Council president Jamie Dunphy sent a letter to Blazers president Dewayne Hankins, inviting him to attend a work session Thursday with the 12-member council to address the team’s concerns about the term sheet delivered by the city.
Trail Blazers part ways with key local broadcasters in another cost-cutting measure Original
Another wave of cost-cutting moves has hit owner Tom Dundon’s Portland Trail Blazers, as the team’s broadcasting department is losing several high-profile names. Veteran play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro said his contract expired June 30, and after receiving a low contract offer Monday, he decided to step away after nine seasons in Portland. “It was an easy decision: not worth my time,” Calabro told The Athletic.
Trail Blazers, Portland both want to make a deal. So why aren’t they talking? Original
PORTLAND, Ore. — They are two parties who want the same thing. The city of Portland says it wants to make a deal with the Trail Blazers on a new arena lease. The Trail Blazers say they will sign a 20-year lease if the city signs off on funding that will open nearly $600 million for the team to upgrade the Moda Center. So, why are the Blazers and the city of Portland at odds? Why all the fuss?
Blazers, City Of Portland Remain Far Apart On Arena Funding Deal
The Portland Trail Blazers and the city of Portland remain significantly apart over public funding for renovations to the Moda Center, according to a team source. The disagreement centers on a term sheet the city sent Friday outlining a proposed 20-year lease agreement. "I think we are very far apart," said the source, one of two Blazers officials granted anonymity to discuss the situation.
Trail Blazers, Portland ‘very far apart’ on lease agreement as arena saga continues Original
PORTLAND, Ore. — The difference in opinion is widening between the Trail Blazers and the city of Portland as the NBA team’s new ownership looks for public funding to renovate the arena where it plays its games. “I think we are very far apart,’’ said a team source Sunday, one of two within the Blazers who were granted anonymity to discuss the situation freely. On Friday, the city of Portland sent the Blazers a term sheet for a 20-year-lease agreement.
Ja Morant wants a fresh start, and Portland has laid out the welcome mat
LAS VEGAS — It’s all wrong, Ja Morant says. His image, how other people see him … it’s all wrong. Once the darling of the NBA, the next heartthrob to splash on posters and commercials, the acrobatic point guard concedes he is viewed negatively. He was twice suspended by the NBA for brandishing a gun on social media, once suspended by Memphis for his on-court behavior, and forever cemented as a problem. “A bad guy,” Morant said of his image.
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