Ja Morant Injury Forces Blazers to Rethink Offense After 3-0 Start

Micah Nori was trying to take a foul Thursday night. Ja Morant had felt something in his hamstring, and the Portland Trail Blazers coach wanted him off the floor ... except his team kept forcing turnovers.

By Friday, what Nori hoped was a minor "twinge" had become a much bigger problem.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Morant sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and will miss at least four weeks. Portland said he'll be re-evaluated in four weeks — not necessarily cleared to return.

The Blazers started 3-0, scoring 124, 128 and 136 points in their first three games. Now Nori has to keep that offense functioning without the guard who gives it a different way to attack.

Morant averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists in 25.8 minutes through four appearances. Replacing those numbers might not be the hardest part.

It's replacing the possessions he creates.

Morant's first step draws help toward the paint. A defense that collapses has to give something up — a kick-out, a cutter or an extra pass.

Portland still has ballhandlers, but that pressure doesn't automatically transfer to whoever gets his minutes.

So Nori can't just hand one player the keys and hope for the best.

Deni Avdija is the clearest logical place to start. He recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Memphis, drawing 12 free-throw attempts along the way. Giving him more opportunities to initiate possessions could keep Portland attacking rather than settling for contested jumpers.

Nori can also stagger Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson to keep a capable ballhandler on the court. Using Donovan Clingan as a screener, with teammates cutting behind the defense, offers another way to create movement when dribble penetration isn't coming easily.

Those are potential adjustments, not guarantees ... and Thursday showed why the details matter.

Portland went 12-for-49 from three against Memphis, including Lillard's 1-for-9 night. Most of those struggles happened while Morant was available. His injury didn't cause the misses, but the Blazers can't count on difficult outside shots falling when their primary downhill threat is absent.

There's a balancing act, too. Lillard is 36 and returning from a torn Achilles, while Shaedon Sharpe remains sidelined following knee surgery. Asking one veteran to absorb every missing possession would create another problem rather than solve this one.

Saturday's trip to Utah is only the beginning. The bigger test is whether Nori can build an offense that consistently creates quality looks with a different mix of players.

Portland built a backcourt with options.

Now Nori has to turn those options into an offense — without waiting for Morant to come back and do it for him.