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Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Superb in team's second win
Rotowire
Avdija finished with 26 points (8-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 9-12 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal across 39 minutes during Friday's 128-120 win over the Kings.
Avdija led Portland in scoring, adding six rebounds and six assists as the Trail Blazers moved to 2-0. He was a game-time decision with a right ankle injury before Wednesday's opener, but he logged a team-high 38 minutes Friday, so the ankle doesn't look like a lingering problem. Last season's breakout star remains the focal point of the offense even with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant now in the backcourt.
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Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Double-double in season opener
Rotowire
Avdija closed Wednesday's 124-83 victory over Phoenix with 18 points (7-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals in 23 minutes.
Damian Lillard celebrated his return to Portland with a game-high 25 points, but Avdija was plenty productive as well, delivering the game's only double-double. The 25-year-old forward is coming off a career-best 2025-26 campaign that saw him score 24.2 points with 6.9 boards, 6.7 assists, 1.9 threes and 1.4 combined steals and blocks, and while the Blazers offense will now flow through the duo of Lillard and Ja Morant in the backcourt, it's encouraging that in Avdija's first game alongside them, his shot volume didn't take a big dip from the 16.1 FG attempts he averaged last season.
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Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Avdija (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Suns, Jason Quick of The Athletic reports.
Avdija will shed his questionable tag due to right ankle soreness and suit up for Portland's regular-season opener. The star forward is coming off a career year in 2025-26, when he averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 33.3 minutes per game across 66 regular-season outings.
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Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Avdija is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to right ankle soreness.
It would be surprising if Avdija missed Wednesday's season opener at home due to ankle soreness, but we'll have a better idea on his status based on Avdija's activity level at shootaround. If he can't give it a go on Opening Night, Sidy Cissoko could start, and Ja Morant would likely see an uptick in usage.
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Efficient in limited run
Rotowire
Avdija recorded 26 points (9-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks across 25 minutes in Tuesday's 110-98 preseason win against Sacramento.
Avdija delivered an impressive all-around performance, leading Portland in scoring while finishing one rebound shy of a double-double. The versatile forward shot efficiently from the field, converted all six of his free-throw attempts and committed just one turnover. His production across multiple categories was an encouraging sign and he seems to be meshing well with Damian Lillard.
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Hits for team-high 23 in preseason win
Rotowire
Avdija scored a team-high 23 points (9-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT) while chipping in two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes during Wednesday's preseason win over the Warriors.
Only four Trail Blazers scored in double digits as 17 different players got court time, but Avdija provided some stability to the shifting lineup around him. Even after the offseason additions of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard to remake the backcourt, Avdija figures to be one of the focal points of Portland's offense after a breakout 2025-26 that saw him average 24.2 points, 6.9 boards, 6.7 assists, 1.9 threes and 1.4 combined steals and blocks over 66 regular-season games.
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Not cleared for qualifiers
Rotowire
Avdija said the Trail Blazers did not clear him to play for Israel during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers due to the back injury he dealt with last season, Sam Amico of HoopsWire reports.
Avdija explained that he wanted to represent Israel but that Portland wasn't willing to risk his health while he recovered from what he described as a complex back injury. The 25-year-old dealt with the issue beginning in January but still put together a breakout 2025-26 campaign, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists across 66 regular-season appearances while earning his first All-Star selection.
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: To remain heavily involved
Rotowire
Avdija's outlook remains bright despite Portland's acquisition of Ja Morant, according to Robert Ohman of Willamette Week.
Morant's arrival could reduce Avdija's on-ball responsibilities after his breakout campaign, but the Trail Blazers continue to view him as a foundational piece. Even if his usage declines slightly, Avdija's ability to contribute across every category should keep him among Portland's top fantasy options.
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