Portland Trail Blazers · 6 notes
Jrue Holiday hurt his hand guarding Sacramento. An X-ray found "nothing was broke"; swelling kept him out of Portland's final exhibition. Micah Nori thinks he'll be good for the Phoenix opener. Robert Williams III sat too. Nori: "We really missed them, which is no excuse."
Yang Hansen can fill in on nights Robert Williams III is out, Portland coach Micah Nori said. He sees Micah Potter as the option when shooting is needed and Branden Carlson as a vertical threat at power forward. On his depth: "It's really a good problem to have."
Robert Williams III says he's available for the season and wants to play back-to-backs for Portland; last year's trainer-built plan capped him at two straight games. "Minute-wise, got to be smart, but for sure I want to make that leap." He'll "see if I can get there."
With a fully healthy roster, Yang Hansen's minutes may come only in spots for Portland. Micah Nori wouldn't commit, pointing to foul trouble for Robert Williams III or Donovan Clingan "and the matchup." The staff wants to build on Hansen's passing.
Robert Williams III missed Portland's Fan Fest for a personal family matter, not an injury. "He's all good to go, though," Micah Nori said. "Nothing for him health-wise." Nori said the team went into Fan Fest fully healthy and came out of it the same way.
Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III anchor Portland's defensive plan: Jrue Holiday says the perimeter defenders contain and the two centers protect behind. On offense, he expects attention on Damian Lillard, Ja Morant and Deni Avdija to open shots for him and Williams.