Victor Wembanyama’s Deni Avdija quote resurfaces before Blazers-Spurs playoff clash

Three of the first-round matchups in the Western Conference for the 2026 NBA playoffs is now set, with the Portland Trail Blazrs having booked their spot in the playoffs after taking a 114-110 win over the Phoenix Suns in the 7/8 matchup. The two teams, much like the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat earlier today, traded blows, but in the end, it was Deni Avdija who stood tall —  converting an and-one layup to give Portland a lead they would not relinquish in the end.

The Blazers are now going to be playing in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs in a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs — an excellent team led by Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama is an MVP candidate for a reason, as his defensive impact is close to unparalleled in today’s NBA.

With the Blazers-Spurs matchup now locked in, Wembanyama’s earlier comments regarding Avdija’s play style in which the French superstar seemed to not be very impressed resurfaced.

“Takes a lot of free throws. Playing against him, advice is to not defend without fouling,” Wembanyama said prior to the All-Star Game in which he and Avdija suited up for Team World.

"How would you describe playing with Deni Avdija… How is he viewed around the league at this point and the step he's taken this year?"

Victor Wembanyama: "Takes a lot of free throws… Playing against him… Advice is to not defend without fouling."pic.twitter.com/OgzdR1roYl

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2026

Avdija certainly showed on Tuesday that he’s more than just a “free-throw merchant”, so to speak. He finished with 41 points on the night on 15-22 shooting from the field, as it was a complete game for the Blazers’ rising star, as he did add seven rebounds and 12 assists to his well-rounded stat line.

The Blazers forward did finish the season second in the NBA in free throws attempted per game, at 9.2 per contest, but that mostly comes as a result of his relentlessness in driving to the basket.

Of course, Wembanyama is the best rim protector in the NBA at present, so Avdija is going to have to make shots from the perimeter if the Blazers were to have the slightest chance of an upset against the Spurs.

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