Blazers’ Deni Avdija breaks down shot that doomed Suns in play-in clash

Doubt has followed Deni Avdija for much of his NBA career. When the Israeli forward was selected inside the top-10 of the 2020 NBA Draft, plenty of fans expressed concern over his scant production and inexperience. When he posted modest numbers on the Washington Wizards, many wrote him off as a background player who would not live up to scouts’ initial expectations. And when the 25-year-old excelled as the No. 1 option on the Portland Trail Blazers and earned his first All-Star selection this season, people questioned if he was a legitimate franchise cornerstone.

There should be no traces of skepticism surrounding Avdija following Tuesday night’s 114-110 playoff-clinching victory over the Phoenix Suns. He refused to let Portland compete in another NBA Play-In Tournament game and posted a sensational performance on the road. Avdija dropped 41 points on 15-of-22 shooting and scored the go-ahead layup with 16.1 seconds remaining on the clock. He explained what his thought process was before dicing into the Suns’ defense for the umpteenth time.

“I feel like I was just being aggressive the whole night going downhill,” Avdija told reporters after the Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. “I cleared Shaedon {Sharpe} so I can go right, so that’s what happened.”

"I feel like I was just being aggressive the whole night going downhill. I cleared Shaedon so I can go right, so that’s what happened.”

Deni Avdija on clutch drive to win the game for the Blazers

(via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/NWRtxsF4Qv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 15, 2026

Besides the dominance he unleashed in the paint area, the 6-foot-8 talent also notched 12 assists, seven rebounds and two blocks versus Phoenix. Despite being uncharacteristically inefficient from the free-throw line (8-of-13) and committing five turnovers, Avdija flourished in the biggest game of his young career. Portland now knows it will host a playoff matchup for the first time in five years.

Avdija accelerated the Blazers’ rebuild and is now moving with undeniable confidence. He is embracing the responsibility of being the top guy in Rip City, and that makes him and this team a bit dangerous.

Although the San Antonio Spurs will rightly be massive favorites in their first-round series against the Trail Blazers, the No. 2 seed cannot get overconfident. As has been established, people underestimate Deni Avdija at their own peril.

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