Portland Trail Blazers Celebrate Israeli Star Deni Avdija's Performance
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli player Deni Avdija led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 118-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, his second win against them in 24 hours. Avdija scored 28 points and set a personal record for three-point attempts, despite a hard foul that briefly raised injury concerns. Media and Avdija himself commented on his performance and the team's potential as a playoff threat.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Deni Avdija led Portland to a 118-108 win over Oklahoma City with 28 points.
- Avdija set a personal record with 13 three-point attempts in the game.
- A hard foul on Avdija briefly raised concerns due to his back injury history.
- Portland secured their second win against Oklahoma City within 24 hours.
- Local media suggest Portland could become a dangerous playoff team.
Israeli player Deni Avdija once again led the Portland Trail Blazers to victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, securing their second win over the team in 24 hours. The game, which ended 118-108 in favor of Portland, saw Avdija score 28 points, dish out 6 assists, and record 4 steals. His performance drew significant attention, including a hard foul from the opposing team.
During the fourth quarter, with the game close, Avdija was fouled hard from behind by Jared McCain, causing him to fall. This incident raised concerns due to Avdija's history of back injuries. However, Portland called a timeout, allowing Avdija to rest and return to the game without apparent impairment. Media commentary on the foul was mixed, with some labeling it a "dirty play" by McCain, while others suggested Jrue Holiday's action might have been the cause of the injury.
Avdija also set a personal record for three-point attempts in a single NBA game, taking 13 shots and making 4. This increased volume of long-range attempts is attributed to Oklahoma City's defensive strategy, which forced him into these shots, though he still managed to score above his average.
Reflecting on the game, Avdija stated, "My only problem is that I need to stay focused, sometimes I think about different things and it catches me unprepared." He added, "I'm really trying, I'm working on it, I see how everyone is trying hard and I want to be a part of it. That's what the team needs from me, to defend and create plays. I feel great, it's always good to win twice in a row, especially against the same team. It was a big challenge, but we stayed together and kept our cool."
Local media praised Portland's adaptability and resilience, suggesting that if the team continues to develop, it could become a dangerous playoff contender in the 2026-27 season.
Mentioned
