Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija is again in full swing after missing some time with a back injury.
Avdija is preparing for the stretch run of the season in hopes of being at his peak when the Blazers are anticipated to take part within the Play-In match. Bleacher Report author Dan Favale listed Avdija as the team’s X-factor going into the ultimate handful of video games for the season.
“He’s good enough to singlehandedly swing a game,” Favale wrote. “… They have some intriguing young talent, but Avdija is the only real star (or player who even looks like a future star).”
Deni Avdija Brings Star Potential to Blazers
While the Blazers have expertise throughout the roster, the team relies on Avdija closely to be the main scorer. The offense takes a little bit of a nosedive when Avdija is not on the court docket, particularly with second-leading scorer Shaedon Sharpe also dealing with an injury.
According to data website Screwball: “Deni Avdija’s internet ranking delta within the 2025-26 season is +1.9. When he is on the court, his team’s offensive rating is 118.5 and defensive rating is 119.4, for a net rating of -0.9. When he is off the court, the net rating drops to -2.8.”
The Blazers are again within the postseason picture giant partially resulting from Avdija’s progress. Last season, he averaged 16.9 factors per sport, which was a career-high on the time. Now, he is jumped as much as 24.2 factors per sport, which ranks fifteenth within the league.
The solely gamers that common extra factors per sport are Victor Wembanyama, Cade Cunningham, Jamal Murray, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic. That’s fairly elite firm.
The better part about Avdija is that he nonetheless has a lot room for progress. He’s solely 25 years outdated and there is an argument to be made that he nonetheless has his greatest basketball forward of him. He is barely rising extra snug in his position with the Blazers and that may proceed to have an effect on him and his sport for years to return.
Avdija and the Blazers are again in motion towards Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off is scheduled for two p.m. PT inside Ball Arena in Denver. Fans can watch the sport on Rip City Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.
