Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Limited output in All-Star debut
Rotowire
Avdija (back) played 15 minutes Sunday at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles between Team World's losses to Team Stars and Team Stripes, finishing with five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four assists and one rebound.
Avdija had missed the Trail Blazers' most recent game Thursday against the Jazz due to lower-back injury management, but the issue didn't prevent him from making his first career All-Star appearance. The 25-year-old forward started in both games for Team World but saw light usage while the offense ran through the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. While playing in just six of the Trail Blazers' final 16 games prior to the All-Star break, Avdija had eclipsed 30 minutes on just one occasion. However, with some extra time to recover during the break, Avdija could have his minutes restriction lifted ahead of Portland's next game Friday versus the Nuggets.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Available for All-Star weekend
Rotowire
Avdija (back) will play for Team World on Sunday at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.
Avdija missed Portland's win over the Jazz on Thursday due to injury management in the second leg of a back-to-back set, though he's set to make his first career All-Star appearance Sunday. Assuming he makes it through Sunday's exhibition without incident, Avdija should be good to go for the Trail Blazers' next game Friday versus the Nuggets.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Ruled out Thursday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Jazz.
Avdija will miss Portland's final matchup before the All-Star break due to load management. Sidy Cissoko should be in line for a sizable increase in minutes Thursday as a result.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Hits for 26 points in victory
Rotowire
Avdija produced 26 points (8-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 8-10 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals in 27 minutes during Monday's 135-118 win over the 76ers.
The Trail Blazers look like contenders when Avdija is in the lineup, and although the team was led by a career night from Toumani Camara, Avdija logged a brilliant output in his return from a four-game absence due to a back strain. The standout should get the rest he needs during the All-Star break, and his full participation will enhance Portland's odds of snagging a postseason opportunity.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is available for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Avdija will return to action after missing the past four games due to a lower-back strain. Injuries have impacted the wing's availability as of late, but his production has remained strong when available -- the 25-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists over his past 10 appearances. With Avdija back in the lineup, Sidy Cissoko is likely to revert to a bench role Monday.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Iffy for Monday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Avdija could miss a fifth straight game due to a back injury. Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko figure to see larger roles if Avdija is unable to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Out again
Rotowire
Avdija (back) won't play in Saturday's game against the Grizzlies, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Avdija will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a lower-back strain. His absence likely means Jerami Grant will draw another start. Avdija's next chance to play will come Monday against Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Iffy for Saturday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
Avdija, who has missed the past three games for Portland, remains day-to-day. If he continues to miss time, the Trail Blazers will likely continue to lean on Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Iffy for Sunday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Avdija continues to pop up on the injury report due to a lower-back strain and is in jeopardy of missing his sixth contest in a 10-game span. If the star forward joins Jrue Holiday (personal) on the sidelines, Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love would be candidates for increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Will play Friday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is available for Friday's game against the Knicks.
Avdija will shed his questionable tag due to a lower-back strain and suit up for a second straight outing. The 25-year-old forward has appeared in just five of Portland's last 10 games due to the back injury, averaging 22.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals across 31.0 minutes per game during that span.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Iffy for Friday
Rotowire
Avdija is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks due to a lower-back strain.
The star forward recently missed two games with the injury, so Portland is continuing to monitor his health. If Avdija can't give it a go Friday, Sidy Cissoko would likely jump into the starting lineup. More playing time would also be available for Caleb Love off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Questionable for Tuesday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) is questionable for Tuesday's game against Washington.
Avdija has missed the past two games for Portland, including the front end of this back-to-back set Monday. However, coach Tiago Splitter did say the plan is for the forward to return Tuesday. The questionable tag suggests that he will still need to get through warmups without any setbacks before he is given the green light.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Exits with back issue
Rotowire
Avdija won't return to Thursday's game against the Heat due to a back injury. He'll end the night with 20 points (6-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes.
Avdija checked out of the game with 10:03 remaining in the third quarter and was later seen wearing a wrap on his back. The team announced shortly after that he wouldn't return the game. Avdija recently returned from a three-game absence due to a lower-back strain, so this is a concerning development.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Out vs. Lakers
Rotowire
Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lakers.
Avdija was initially added to the injury report as doubtful, and he's since been downgraded to out, which will mark his third straight absence. His next chance to return will arrive Sunday in Sacramento.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Confirmed out for Thursday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) will not play Thursday against the Hawks.
This is an expected update, with Avdija previously carrying a doubtful tag. For now, he can be considered day-to-day moving forward. Jerami Grant (Achilles) is likely to return to the lineup and could absorb a lot of Avdija's minutes.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
Avdija departed Sunday's matchup against the Knicks early after picking up a back injury, and it'll sideline him at least one additional game. Jrue Holiday will presumably be on a minutes restriction again Tuesday, so it'll likely be up to Caleb Love to step up in the backcourt.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Leaves early with back injury
Rotowire
Avdija didn't return to Sunday's 123-114 loss to the Knicks after exiting with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter due to an apparent back injury. He finished with 25 points (8-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-10 FT), five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block in 38 minutes.
Avdija's back injury didn't look to be a major concern, but the 25-year-old forward's status will now be worth monitoring ahead of Tuesday's game against the Warriors. He's reached the 20-point mark in each of the Trail Blazers' first six outings of January, averaging 30.3 points to go along with 7.0 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers and 1.2 steals in 36.5 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Exits to locker room
Rotowire
Avdija exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Knicks due to an apparent back issue, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Avdija appeared to tweak his back and limped immediately to the locker room in the final minutes of the game. He should be considered highly questionable to return with the game nearing its end.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Sniffs triple-double in blowout
Rotowire
Avdija finished with 33 points (10-19 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 9-10 FT), eight rebounds and nine assists in 29 minutes during Monday's 137-117 victory over the Jazz.
Avdija would have been a cinch to log his second consecutive triple-double, but he sat out the entire fourth quarter with the game well in hand. Avdija earned Western Conference player of the week honors last week, and few players have been as productive as Avdija over the past month. His scintillating totals have placed Portland in the midst of a three-game winning streak, and they've moved past the Grizzlies to ninth place thanks to a 6-4 streak over the past 10 games.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Posts triple-double vs. SAS
Rotowire
Avdija finished Saturday's 115-110 win over the Spurs with 29 points (9-23 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-11 FT), 11 rebounds, 10 assists and a block across 39 minutes.
Avdija was one of three Trail Blazers who scored at least 20 points in this game, with Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara being the others. The star forward carried the Blazers offensively and posted his third triple-double of the campaign. It was also his ninth game with at least 10 assists, and his sixth with 10 or more boards.
