Deni Avdija Carries Blazers to Playoff Berth After Play-In Win
Deni Avdija got his first taste of postseason action after languishing on bad teams, and he didn't waste it for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was magnificent, pouring in one of the best performances in the history of the Play-In Tournament. In the process, the previously eighth-seeded Blazers booked a playoff spot as the seven seed.
Deni Avdija drops 41 in playoff clincher
Unlike the other game the other day (Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat), this was not a one-game playoff elimination. By winning, the Portland Trail Blazers booked their spot, while the Hornets only survived to play another game. The Phoenix Suns aren't eliminated yet, even after losing to the Blazers.
But it was a playoff clincher. The Trail Blazers are now the seventh seed, getting the right to play the San Antonio Spurs in a playoff series now. Deni Avdija had the biggest hand in that, dropping 41 points on 15/22 shooting to go along with 12 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks. He was +13 in a comeback win.
The Suns had an 11-point fourth quarter lead with about six minutes to go, but the Blazers rallied. Avdija hit a clutch bucket in the final minute and then followed it up (after the Suns reclaimed the lead) by getting an and-one to seal the win on the final meaningful possession.
Now, the Blazers will head to San Antonio where an unenviable matchup with Victor Wembanyama. However, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder would've been Portland's matchup under the old playoff format without the Play-In, so this is a fantastic outcome.
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Star forward comments
Deni Advija called the 41-point outburst that led to a clutch comeback Play-In victory the "best thing that's ever happened" in his young career so far. He is still only 25, and he spent much of his career on the lowly Washington Wizards.
Avdija is now the fifth player to score 40 or more points in a play-in game. He joins:
- Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics in 2021 (50)
- Coby White for the Chicago Bulls in 2024 (42)
- Anthony Davis for the Dallas Mavericks in 2025 (40)
- Zion Williamson for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2024 (40)
"I think back to the beginning of the season, we weren't very disciplined at staying together and finishing games," Avdija said. "I feel like we showed character today. We showed growth, we showed character, we showed we were capable of keeping our composure and making winning plays."
Thiago Splitter, Jrue Holiday react
It is a bit remarkable that the Trail Blazers are here. Their original head coach, Chauncey Billups, was arrested after being involved with an illegal gambling ring. Thiago Splitter took over and guided them to an impressive playoff berth. He commented on Deni Advija's career night.
"He just kept going, kept believing in himself," Splitter said of his star forward's real coming-out party. "Scored a couple buckets at the end there. A little bit of what he did the whole season, played 38 minutes, had the ball a lot and decided the game."
"I feel like he's unique. Nobody does what he does," veteran point guard Jrue Holiday said. "Deni coming out here, carrying us, especially down the stretch, getting that winning bucket and being able to go home knowing we're playing San Antonio is something you love to see in Deni because this is what we expect from him now."
Holiday is a two-time NBA champion, so he knows what it takes to win this time of year. He left supremely impressed by the former lottery pick who has really made a name for himself this season. Avdija made his first All-Star team in 2025-26 after barely making it as a Rising Star only in his rookie season.
