Historic Hoops: London Lions Roar into NBA Preseason
A Groundbreaking Encounter: British Basketball's First NBA Showdown
On October 12, a pivotal moment in British basketball history will unfold as the London Lions prepare to challenge the Portland Trail Blazers. This preseason contest, slated to take place at the iconic Moda Center, will mark the first time a British basketball club has ever competed against an NBA franchise in an official capacity. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 PM local start in Portland, which translates to 9:00 PM BST, offering fans on both sides of the Atlantic an opportunity to witness this unprecedented event.
A Legacy Rekindled: Sabonis Family's Return to Portland
The significance of this matchup is further amplified by a deeply personal connection for London Lions' head coach, Tautvydas Sabonis. His father, the legendary Arvydas Sabonis, left an indelible mark on the Portland Trail Blazers' history, playing seven distinguished seasons for the team from 1995 to 2003. During his tenure, Arvydas Sabonis became a revered figure within the franchise, averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 470 games. His contributions included an All-Rookie Second Team selection in 1996 and helping the Blazers secure playoff berths in all seven of his seasons, making his son's return to Portland as a coach a poignant full-circle moment.
The Contenders: British Prowess Meets NBA Ambition
The London Lions arrive at this historic game as the preeminent force in British basketball, eager to test their mettle against top-tier competition. Their opponents, the Portland Trail Blazers, are fresh off an offseason dedicated to assembling a roster capable of contending for a championship. The Blazers concluded the 2025-26 regular season with a 42-40 record, earning the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
Trail Blazers' Dynamic Roster: Key Players and Strategic Acquisitions
Last season, the Trail Blazers' lineup was spearheaded by All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who delivered an impressive performance with averages of 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists across 66 games. Shaedon Sharpe also played a crucial role, contributing significantly to the team's scoring with an average of 20.8 points in 50 appearances. The team's interior defense and rebounding were bolstered by rookie center Donovan Clingan, who averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 77 starts, alongside Robert Williams III, who provided defensive stability with 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 59 games.
Building for the Future: Offseason Moves and New Leadership
With an eye towards accelerating their championship aspirations, the Portland Trail Blazers were active during the 2026 offseason. A significant move saw them acquire All-Star guard Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, creating a formidable guard rotation that now includes Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson. The franchise also underwent a leadership change, hiring Micah Nori as head coach after Tiago Splitter's departure to lead the Chicago Bulls. Further strengthening their roster, Portland secured Robert Williams III with a three-year, $44 million contract and added frontcourt depth by signing Branden Carlson and Jeremy Sochan.
