Avdija’s historic triple-double showcases Israeli excellence, proving global sports stages cannot ignore Israel’s rising talent.
Israeli basketball standout Deni Avdija delivered a statement performance that resonated far beyond the box score, powering the Portland Trail Blazers to a gritty 115–110 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs. On his 25th birthday, Avdija authored a milestone night—recording a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Despite San Antonio missing its generational star Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs clawed back from an early double-digit deficit and briefly seized control in the third quarter. That momentum was short-lived. Portland answered with a decisive 12–0 run, capped by Avdija drilling two clutch three-pointers to seal the win. He finished with the best plus-minus on the floor—an unmistakable marker of leadership and impact.
The victory lifted Portland to 16–20, placing them ninth in the Western Conference and firmly in the play-in picture. More importantly, it amplified Avdija’s All-Star credentials. Days earlier, initial fan voting ranked him seventh among Western Conference forwards—just two spots shy of the starting lineup for the NBA All-Star Game.
Drafted ninth overall in 2020, Avdija’s journey—from Washington to Portland—has been defined by steady growth and historic firsts, including his 43-point outburst last February, the highest single-game scoring performance by an Israeli in NBA history.
In a global sports culture that increasingly recognizes excellence beyond politics, Avdija’s rise stands as a point of national pride. Israel’s athletes continue to earn respect on merit alone—through discipline, resilience, and elite performance—proving that Israeli excellence belongs on the world’s biggest stages.
