Deni Avdija Reflects on First Loss, Reduced Role with Portland

Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija spoke to Portland media after the Trail Blazers suffered their first loss of the season, a 124-103 defeat at home to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night. Avdija, who finished the game with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, acknowledged the team's struggles with three-point shooting, hitting only 24% from beyond the arc, which he felt contributed to a lack of patience and offensive flow. "Sometimes your nature is to take on more, but I trust my teammates," Avdija stated, emphasizing his willingness to pass and make the right play, even if a teammate is having an off night. He noted the absence of starting center Robert Williams as a significant factor in the loss, highlighting his importance to the team's performance. Avdija, 25, also commented on his personal role, stating, "There is much less burden on me, and when I need to be aggressive, I will be." He believes this reduced load will keep him fresher for the long season ahead, which he anticipates will have many ups and downs. The team views the loss as a learning experience, focusing on developing greater discipline and understanding how to perform when things aren't going their way. Avdija expressed confidence in the team's talent and the contributions of his teammates, including Damian Lillard and another player referred to as "Jah," who he expects to attack the basket. He concluded by saying he enjoys playing with his teammates and is happy with the team's collective approach to winning.