When Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts arrived at Moda Center on Friday to face the Portland Fire, many of the sights were familiar. Along the walls, memories of historic Trail Blazers playoff moments are immortalized - including Damian Lillard's 37-foot game-winner to beat Oklahoma City in 2019. Tibbetts remembers that one well: the longtime Blazers assistant under Terry Stotts (2013-21) built a close relationship with Lillard over the years. This first road trip to Portland for the WNBA team he now coaches provided an opportunity for the two to reconnect. Tibbetts and several Mercury players visited Lillard's home in Tualatin on Thursday, Tibbetts said. Players had a mini practice of sorts at Lillard's indoor court, and were able to chop it up with one of the NBA's all-time greats. Lillard has attended multiple Fire games this season, often flanked by five-year-old daughter Kali. Tibbetts said Lillard's support of women's basketball has extended to Phoenix. The third-year Mercury coach - fresh off a WNBA Finals appearance but off to a 3-8 start this year - is making his first pilgrimage to the Rose City as a WNBA coach. He will face a 6-5 Fire team bucking expectations as an expansion side and playing a hard-nosed brand of basketball. Not to mention the rabid fan support including multiple sellouts in the team's early weeks. Tibbetts praised Lillard's support for women's basketball and the Fire's exciting start to the season. Phoenix will play without stars Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas on Friday. But however the result pans out in what has been a frustrating season for Tibbetts and the Mercury, Friday was a return to a second home that was a long time coming. Tibbetts said it's been awesome and real fun walking around the Moda Center here and seeing the red and black. He had some special special years here. A lot of great times, a lot of great memories.