標籤: Yang

The Moda Center felt like a dream sequence Friday night when Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen finally came face to face with his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. For Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center often dubbed the “Chinese Jokic” for his excellent passing and high basketball IQ, it wasn’t just another game on the schedule; It was a meeting that took months in the making.

The two ran into each other near mid-court during pregame warmups, a light-hearted moment that certainly calmed some of the 20-year-old rookie’s nerves. Hansen has been vocal about his admiration for the Denver Nuggets superstar since Portland selected him 16th overall last summer.

Yang Hansen has revealed how much he admires Nikola Jokic. The two are meeting before tonight’s game here in Portland. pic.twitter.com/XkTgri9gS4

– Katy Winge (@katywinge) 21 February 2026

He even famously joked during All-Star weekend that he “can’t wait to kiss” the three-time MVP. Jock, always wise, had previously set a humorous condition for a photo op: he would only take a photo if Hansen promised to play poorly against him.

Portland Trail Blazers fans are accustomed to seeing Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan working together to clog up the paint at Moda Center. However, Friday night’s NBA Rising Stars game forced the Twin Towers into a rare confrontation, which left Klingon on the wrong side of a viral moment.

The energy inside the building soared as the two giants faced off, turning a friendly exhibition into a massive battle for bragging rights in the locker room.

The highlight of the night came when Hansen was isolated against the Klingons at the top of the Keys. Hansen, China’s 7-foot-3 skilled center, gave a quick shoulder shimmy before selling a fake jump shot that completely fooled his teammates.

Teammate on teammate crime!

Yang Hansen fakes Donovan Clingan for inside bucket

pic.twitter.com/Gw4YBup6Lo

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

Klingon made things a little more difficult to pass, moving to the perimeter while Hansen calmly slid past him to the rim. Henson finished the game with an easy bucket and a cheeky smile, and clearly enjoyed the chance to put his fellow rookie on the highlight reel.

Henson finished as the high-point man for Team Austin, scoring 10 points and one rebound while going 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Team Melo ultimately won 65–60, but Henson’s offensive versatility was the talk of the field.

Clingan, on the other hand, proved why he is a defensive threat by recording 3 rebounds, although those defensive stats may not be enough to nullify the pump fake just yet.

The game reached its climax when Dylan Harper hit the game-winning shot over his brother Ron Harper Jr., but the Trail Blazers’ internal rivalry provided the most entertaining subplot of the evening.

Portland has invested heavily in its frontcourt, and seeing both players flourish on the national stage confirms that the franchise is moving in the right direction.