Key Takeaways
- The Stat Line: Deni Avdija finished with 41 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds—the greatest Play-In performance in franchise history.
- The Comeback: Portland erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit with a late 17-5 run to stun Phoenix.
- Next Up: The Trail Blazers clinch the No. 7 seed and head to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the No. 2 Spurs.
PHOENIX — Deni Avdija didn’t just carry the Portland Trail Blazers into the postseason; he willed them there. In a hostile Footprint Center, the 25-year-old forward delivered a career-defining 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns, proving that his first All-Star nod earlier this season was no fluke.
The Masterclass: Avdija Takes Over
The Suns appeared to have the game in hand after scoring 11 straight points to open the fourth quarter. Jalen Green was electric, pouring in 35 points and hitting contested jumpers that left the Portland bench silent. But Avdija refused to let the season end in the desert. He accounted for 14 of Portland’s points in the final frame, slicing through the Phoenix defense with a level of poise usually reserved for seasoned veterans.
The defining moment came with 16.1 seconds remaining. Trailing 110-109, Avdija drove aggressively to the cup, absorbed heavy contact from Royce O’Neale, and flipped the ball through the hoop. The stadium went quiet as the whistle blew. Avdija sank the free throw to complete the three-point play, giving the Blazers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deni Avdija (POR) | 41 | 7 | 12 | 68.2% |
| Jalen Green (PHX) | 35 | 4 | 5 | 52.1% |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 22 | 6 | 8 | 41.4% |
What They Said
“I knew the team needed me to be aggressive. This wasn’t just about scoring; it was about the playoff berth this city has waited for. We stood our ground when they went on that run, and we didn’t break.”
— Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers Forward
Playoff Implications: Date with the Alien
With this win, Portland secures the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed. Their reward? A first-round date with the 62-win San Antonio Spurs and presumptive Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama. While the Spurs enter as heavy favorites, Avdija’s ability to function as a point-forward creates a schematic nightmare that could push the series longer than analysts expect.
For Phoenix, the offseason begins with questions about depth. Despite 57 combined points from Green and Booker, the Suns’ supporting cast went cold when it mattered most. They now head into an uncertain summer with a roster that feels one piece short of true contention.
