The NBA recently released the 2026-27 schedule. For the Portland Trail Blazers, the first word that came to mind was brutal. There's a stretch where they essentially lose three straight games against the Spurs, and a back-to-back against the Thunder. Thanks, NBA! Very cool league, Adam Silver.
Still, that was to be expected, as Blazers fans are well accustomed to life in the Western Conference by now. They also know the disadvantage of having a franchise in the Pacific Northwest, as the Blazers are always among the most frequently traveled teams in each year's schedule release.
At least they start at home this year, in a season opener that is far more significant than any in recent Blazers memory: the return of franchise icon Damian Lillard.
Oct. 21: Season opener, Damian Lillard's Blazers return
The Blazers' season opener is, fortunately, a home game against the Phoenix Suns. That's going to be an electric atmosphere with Damian Lillard's return to the Moda Center after spending two seasons in Milwaukee, which felt far longer for Blazers fans. Fortunately, that problem resolved itself with Lillard back in Portland, where he belongs.
The reunion is a storyline in itself, but there's also the on-court aspect of how Lillard looks in his return from a torn Achilles. Last year proved Portland needs Lillard's offense. How he fits into a new-look backcourt that now includes Ja Morant, and how first-year head coach Micah Nori will balance that in his first official test, gives this home opener even more significance than usual.
Feb. 6: Ja Morant returns to Memphis
Ja Morant was on a long list of star names who found themselves on the move this offseason, proving yet again how exciting and unpredictable the NBA offseason is. Some of the logos next to these players look like they were randomly generated in NBA 2K franchise mode:
A look at some return games in the 2026-27 NBA regular season as players visit their former teams for the first time.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 13, 2026
NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/Tu5ddCZglc
Morant came at a fraction of the price of some of these other stars as the Blazers shopped for a star in the bargain bin. Portland viewed it as a buy-low reclamation project worth taking on, a strategy that new owner Tom Dundon has successfully used to build the NHL Carolina Hurricanes.
They hope a healthier Morant can return close to the two-time All-Star he was in Memphis. But regardless, that successful run he had with the Grizzlies should be an emotional return by a fanbase that still loves him.
That Ja reunion in Memphis will actually run through February 8, with the Blazers continuing their baseball series in another road game against the Grizzlies.
Ja's first return to Memphis on February 6 will air on Prime as one of 11 nationally televised games the Blazers have on their schedule this season.
Mar. 26: LeBron James' 76ers at the Moda Center
This is the only home matchup for the Blazers against the Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James signed a two-year contract with the 76ers, suggesting that this 2026-27 season likely won't be he last. But he's also 41. We've seen what Father Time has done to his gray beard, but we impressively haven't really seen it on the court... yet.
And what if the 76ers win the championship? Would James come back to try and get No. 6 to finally catch Michael Jordan's ghost in that regard? Or would he want to go out remembered as a champion, one who has now won with four different franchises?
Either way, Blazers fans have limited chances to see James in Portland. This one's worth circling every season while you still can.
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