On October 12, 2026, the London Lions made history by becoming the first British basketball team to compete against an NBA franchise, facing the Portland Trail Blazers in a preseason game at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers dominated the matchup, securing a decisive 119–66 victory.
Portland established control early, leading 34–21 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 72–33 by halftime. The Trail Blazers showcased their offensive prowess, shooting 56% from the field and converting 16 of 34 three-point attempts. In contrast, the Lions struggled offensively, managing a 30% field goal percentage and hitting 7 of 33 shots from beyond the arc. Portland also dominated the paint, outscoring London 54–24 and winning the rebounding battle 51–32. (skysports.com)
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the game was a significant milestone for British basketball. London Lions head coach Tautvydas Sabonis, son of former Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis, acknowledged the challenges posed by facing NBA-level competition. He emphasized the learning experience for his team, noting the physicality and skill level of their opponents. (skysports.com)
The Lions' roster featured notable performances from Maxwell Lewis, who led the team with 13 points and four steals, and DeVante Jones, who added 12 points. Ethan Price contributed with two three-pointers in the first half, briefly narrowing the deficit. For the Trail Blazers, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson each scored 14 points, with Henderson making four of five three-point attempts in just 16 minutes off the bench. (skysports.com)
This historic matchup not only highlighted the gap between European and NBA basketball but also underscored the Lions' ambition to elevate British basketball on the international stage. The experience gained from competing against top-tier talent is expected to benefit the Lions as they continue their domestic and European campaigns. (thelondonlions.com)