Deni Avdija delivered one of the most complete performances of his NBA career on Saturday night, recording a dominant triple-double to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a hard-fought 115-110 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Avdija finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, committing just two turnovers while controlling the game on both ends of the floor. It marked his third triple-double of the season and the fifth of his career, as the 25-year-old Israeli forward once again proved to be the engine behind Portland’s recent surge.
“It was a tough game,” Avdija said afterward. “A tough game. We’re doing everything we can to fight, to play, to show our identity.”
Portland came out aggressively from the opening tip, pushing the pace and attacking the paint against a Spurs team missing injured star Victor Wembanyama. Avdija orchestrated the offense with confidence, finding teammates in transition while scoring himself efficiently as the Blazers opened up a double-digit lead early.
“We move the ball, we have injured players, guys who don’t feel well, sickness, flights – everything – and still, we don’t make excuses,” Avdija said. “I just love playing with this team.”
'Beyond the box score'
San Antonio clawed its way back into the game after halftime, briefly taking the lead and turning the contest into a tense, physical battle. But when the pressure mounted late in the fourth quarter, Avdija took over. He attacked the rim for a momentum-shifting dunk, set up key baskets for teammates, and then buried clutch three-pointers in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Alongside Avdija, rookie center Donovan Clingan turned in a career night with 24 points and 10 rebounds, providing a dominant presence inside. Toumani Camara added 20 points as Portland closed out its fourth win in the last five games.
“I’ve been in the NBA for six years, and this group, these players – I really enjoy playing with them,” Avdija said. “They fight, they defend, we’re an amazing team, and I feel like our future is so bright.”
Beyond the box score, the victory reflected Portland’s growing composure in tight games – an area that has plagued the team in the past. Against a Spurs squad that refused to go away, the Blazers stayed disciplined on defense and executed down the stretch.
“I think we’re improving at closing games,” Avdija explained. “Everyone is disciplined defensively, helping each other. We don’t leave anyone alone, and we go get wins together.”
'Road To Win'
For Avdija, who celebrated his 25th birthday this week, the performance carried added significance – not just because of the stat line, but because of the resilience it required.
“In games like this, when everyone is tired and exhausted, when it’s physical and tough, and we come out with a win, that’s something big,” he said. “That’s the best birthday gift I could ask for.”
As Portland continues its push toward the play-in picture, Avdija’s all-around brilliance has become impossible to ignore. On a night that demanded leadership, poise, and toughness, he delivered all three – and walked off the floor as the clear difference in a statement road win.