Israeli NBA Star Deni Avdija Leads Blazers to Victory with Career-High Performance

Israeli basketball sensation Deni Avdija delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, scoring a season-high 36 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists to power the Portland Trail Blazers to a decisive 128-109 victory over the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

The standout performance at Portland’s Moda Center marked Avdija’s second consecutive game with over 30 points. Just two nights earlier, he posted an impressive 31-point, 16-rebound double-double against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Avdija's historic streak places him in elite company. He became the first Blazers player since Damian Lillard to record at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in consecutive victories. Over his last two games, Avdija has amassed an eye-popping 67 points, 24 rebounds, 15 assists, and nine three-pointers joining only three other players in NBA history to achieve such numbers in back-to-back outings.

Additionally, Avdija now stands alongside Anthony Davis and Ja Morant as one of the few players this season to record at least 36 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 75% or better from the field. He’s also the first Blazer to accomplish the feat since NBA legend Clyde Drexler in 1990.

Postgame, Avdija remained humble. “I’m working hard, I’m being humble, and for me, it’s all about the wins,” he said.

The win extends Portland’s current streak to four, boosting their season record to 39-32. Despite the surge, the Blazers remain two games behind Dallas and Phoenix for the final play-in spot with just 11 games left in the regular season.

Deni Avdija’s stellar performance underscores not only his personal growth but also highlights the growing influence of Israeli athletes on the global sports stage.

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