Portland Trail Blazers Face London Lions in Historic NBA Preseason Game

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

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Hebrew · 6 newsrooms covering

The Portland Trail Blazers will play the London Lions in a historic NBA preseason game, the first between an NBA team and a UK club. Israeli player Deni Avdija will face former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Kinnan Evans and ex-Hapoel Jerusalem player Tarik Philip. The London Lions face a demanding schedule, playing in Portland for only 48 hours before a EuroCup game. Avdija previously scored 23 points in Portland's preseason win against the Golden State Warriors.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Portland Trail Blazers will play London Lions in a historic NBA preseason game.
This is the first-ever game between an NBA team and a UK club.
Israeli player Deni Avdija will face former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Kinnan Evans.
London Lions coach Tautvydas Sabonis noted the challenging schedule.
Former Hapoel Jerusalem player Tarik Philip will also play against Portland.
Deni Avdija scored 23 points in Portland's previous preseason game.

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

The Portland Trail Blazers, featuring Israeli player Deni Avdija, are set to host the London Lions in an unprecedented preseason matchup. This game marks the first time an NBA team will play against a club from the United Kingdom. Kinnan Evans, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv player, will be on the opposing side for the London Lions, who are currently on loan from Žalgiris.

London Lions coach Tautvydas Sabonis, son of Blazers legend Arvydas Sabonis, acknowledged the challenging timing of the game, stating he would have preferred it during the preseason. The Lions will spend only 48 hours in Portland before heading to Germany for a EuroCup game against Frankfurt on Thursday, where they hold a 1-1 record.

In addition to facing Avdija, the London Lions will also play against Tarik Philip, a former Hapoel Jerusalem player. Philip expressed his excitement about the game, noting it would be the first time his daughter sees him play.

The London Lions have been making ambitious moves this season, becoming the first British team to wear Jordan brand uniforms and applying for EuroLeague membership. 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.