The Portland Trail Blazers traveled to Seattle following Tuesday’s practice to bond and have fun before playing their first preseason game Friday night against the LA Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena.
The trip’s highlight could be attending Thursday night’s NFL game featuring the San Francisco 49ers (2-3) at the Seattle Seahawks (3-2).
RELATED: Find the Blazers’ full preseason schedule here
“We’ll be in attendance at the game,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “A big-time Thursday night game against a rival. That’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The team, Billups said, could use some time away after a week of training camp.
“I think we all are really excited to go,” Billups said. “We’ve had a great week here of working out. But just a change of scenery always helps. Seattle, obviously, is a great town. A great basketball town."
The Blazers will also spend time at the home of Blazers' chair, Jody Allen, something they did in 2022, the last time they played a preseason game against the Clippers in Seattle.
“We’re looking forward to going to Jody’s house and having practice," Billups said.
Center Robert Williams III said he was looking forward to the trip.
“I’ve never been to Seattle,” Williams said. “I’ve never been to an NFL game, either.”
Blazers center Robert Williams III talks to media following practice on Oct. 8, 2024, at the team's Tualatin practice facility.Aaron Fentress
The Blazers are getting a late start to preseason play compared to most of the NBA.
Around the NBA, 20 games were played through Tuesday, with another nine scheduled over Wednesday and Thursday.
“I like to be able to practice,” Billups said. “Obviously, it’s gonna be fun to be able to play that game. But I love to be able to practice. You can control it a little bit more. You can work on things. There’s a lot of teams that I think are playing six preseason games. You’ve got to have a happy medium somewhere.”
The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers will play six preseason games, while 15 teams will play five, and the other 11, including the Blazers, play four.
Latest Blazers news
- Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker improves shooting, confidence
- Trail Blazers hit by injuries ahead of first preseason game: Blazer Focused podcast
- Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups optimistic about guard depth
- Oregonian Sports podcast: Do we still think Oregon will beat Ohio State?
- Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams III updates injury progress
-- Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)