Deni Avdija Sets NBA Efficiency Record in Career-High Scoring Game

Israeli player Deni Avdija achieved his best statistical game of the NBA season, scoring a career-high 34 points in the Portland Trail Blazers' 120-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Avdija's performance was particularly notable for its efficiency, as he made all 8 of his two-point attempts, 3 of 5 three-pointers, and 9 of 9 free throws, resulting in a perfect "True Shooting" percentage of 100.2%. This marks the highest True Shooting percentage in the NBA this season for any player scoring 30 or more points in a single game. The article highlights that achieving such efficiency becomes increasingly difficult with a higher point total. Avdija was only the fourth player this season to exceed 90% True Shooting in a game with at least 30 points, surpassing Alex Sarr, Paolo Banchero, and Christian Braun.

The Trail Blazers' win, their third in a row, kicked off a six-game road trip. Despite Sacramento's poor record, Avdija acknowledged the game as a potential "trap," praising the Kings' talent while emphasizing his team's ability to "stay together and make the right plays." He expressed that the team is "very good" when they play with focus and unity.

Avdija also commented on his personal performance, stating he is "still getting into season shape." He credited his teammates, particularly Damian Lillard, for finding him in scoring positions and highlighted the strong communication between himself and Lillard as key to their on-court chemistry. "It's still Deni Avdija's team," remarked podcast host Chris Vernon, noting that while Lillard's return is enjoyable, Avdija remains the core player. Vernon suggested that Avdija can be the best player on a successful team, even with the addition of a star like Lillard, and that the team's identity has not changed despite a new coach and system.