Basketball

Deni Avdija drawn into political storm after Netyanyahu’s All-Star praise

Netanyahu’s message, posted shortly after Avdija was named an All-Star reserve, read: “Every time you step onto the court, our country shines with pride.”

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija, the first Israeli selected to the NBA All-Star Game, has found his historic achievement followed by online backlash after a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Why Deni Avdija’s All-Star moment feels bigger than basketball in Israel - analysis

“I’m an athlete. I don’t really get into politics, because it’s not my job. I obviously stand for my country, because that’s where I’m from,” he said in an interview last month in The New York Times.

|ByHERB KEINON
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Moda Center on February 01, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

NBA star Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli chosen for All-Star game

More fans voted for the Israeli than for LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and many others.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
JARED HARPER scored a game-high 24 points to lead Hapoel Jerusalem to a 93-83 State Cup quarterfinal victory over a suddenly slumping Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Hapoel Jerusalem advances to State Cup semis as Tel Aviv clubs fall in Europe

Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv, advancing to the Israel State Cup semifinals as Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv faced defeat in Euroleague basketball games.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beersheba in OT, while Jerusalem, Mac TA both take wins home

Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Hapoel Beersheba 112-108 in overtime to notch the tight win at Yad Eliyahu and improve its Israeli league record to 14-1 and remain in first place.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV'S Antonio Blakeney blocks a shot during the Reds' 112-108 overtime victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Israeli league action at Yad Eliyahu.

Everyone loves Rayman after Maccabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague triumph

Above all, the player who contributed to the win over the Greeks was Will Rayman, who perhaps made the most important and critical play, a play that wasn’t even with the ball.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Will Rayman (11) has earned an increasingly important role with the club and he was instrumental in the yellow-and-blue's 75-71 Euroleague victory over Panathinaikos.

Hapoel Tel Aviv earns Euroleague triumph

First-place Reds improve to 16-6 • Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated in Greece • Jerusalem, Holon also lose

JANUARY 22, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Chris Jones celebrates after scoring two of his team-high 16 points in the Reds’ 71-66 Euroleague victory over Anadolu Efes in Bulgaria.

Avdija nets 30 in winning return for Blazers

Deni Avdija returned from injury with a dominant 30-point performance, leading Portland to a 117-110 win over Sacramento, as the Blazers extended their win streak to three.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives past the Sacramento Kings’ Precious Achiuwa during the Blazers’ 117-110 victory over the host Kings.

Deni Avdija nears Portland Trailblazers NBA return following injury

Portland forward Deni Avdija is close to returning after missing one game with lower-back soreness, as his strong season keeps him in the All-Star conversation.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
IN HIS sixth NBA season, Israeli forward has taken a big leap with the Portland Trail Blazers and is favored to make his first All-Star Game.

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Zalgiris, Lo eye big night vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Lithuanian squad was in Israel just a couple of weeks ago, and came away with a win over Hapoel Tel Aviv. It would like to replicate that success after splitting its last two Euroleague games.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ZALGIRIS GUARD Maodo Lo (in red), a veteran of top European clubs and a regular member of the German national team, brings extensive international experience into tonight’s Euroeague matchup against host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji killed in Tehran protests, anti-regime data shows

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, 39, was shot during protests in Tehran's Sadeghiyeh area, according to Hengaw and the National Council of Resistance of Iran's data.

JANUARY 14, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, believed to be killed during a protest in Tehran, in an undated picture.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv handles Ramat Gan • Beersheba beats Galil Elyon • Herliya downs Ness Ziona

JANUARY 12, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Roman Sorkin (left) and Oshae Brissett celebrate after a basket during their team’s 95-84 win over Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend.

Did Washington move too soon on Avdija? Former manager Tommy Sheppard offers an answer - interview

Avdija’s first season highlighted the difficulty. An ankle injury limited him to 54 games, and according to Sheppard, that period tested his character.

JANUARY 11, 2026ByIDAN KWELLER
Deni Avdija