MakoSports18:02

Portland Trail Blazers to Face London Lions in Historic NBA Preseason Game

Translated & summarized from Mako by baba

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Hebrew · 6 newsrooms covering

The Portland Trail Blazers will play the London Lions in a historic preseason game, the first between an NBA team and a UK club. Israeli player Deni Avdija will face ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv player Keenan Evans and the London Lions. Coach Tautvydas Sabonis noted the challenging schedule for his team, which also includes ex-Hapoel Jerusalem player Tarik Philip. Avdija previously starred in a win against the Golden State Warriors.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Portland Trail Blazers will play London Lions in a historic NBA preseason game.
This marks the first time an NBA team faces a UK club.
Israeli player Deni Avdija will compete against Keenan Evans, ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv.
London Lions coach Tautvydas Sabonis called the timing challenging for his team.
Avdija scored 23 points in Portland's previous preseason win over Golden State.

Portland Trail Blazers to Face London Lions in Historic NBA Preseason Game — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The Portland Trail Blazers are set to play an unprecedented preseason game against the London Lions, marking the first time an NBA team will face a squad from the United Kingdom. Israeli player Deni Avdija will be on one side, while former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Keenan Evans will represent the London Lions. The game is scheduled to take place at the Moda Center.

London Lions coach Tautvydas Sabonis, son of former Blazers legend Arvydas Sabonis, acknowledged that the timing during the preseason is challenging. The team will only spend 48 hours in Portland before heading to Frankfurt for a EuroCup game on Thursday, where they currently hold a 1-1 record. The London Lions also feature Tarik Philip, formerly of Hapoel Jerusalem, who expressed excitement about his daughter seeing him play for the first time.

The London Lions have been making ambitious moves this season, becoming the first British team to wear Jordan brand uniforms and applying for a spot in the EuroLeague. For Portland, this will be their second preseason game, following a 123-118 victory over the Golden State Warriors, in which Deni Avdija scored 23 points in 21 minutes.