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CLEVELAND — Deni Avdija etched his name into NBA history on Saturday night, becoming the first Israeli player ever to record a triple-double in the league.
The Portland Trail Blazers forward delivered a commanding performance with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in 42 minutes, but his historic night was overshadowed by a 133-129 overtime loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Avdija, who had been listed as questionable due to a quadriceps injury, showed no signs of discomfort as he led Portland to an 18-point advantage at its peak.
His dominant third quarter, where he scored 14 points, was instrumental in building the lead. However, the Cavaliers mounted a furious comeback, forcing the game into overtime and eventually securing their tenth consecutive win.
“It’s hard for me to think about the triple-double right now because I wanted to win,” Avdija admitted postgame. “I wanted that three to go in and wanted us to win, especially versus the first seed in the East.”
In the final seconds of overtime, with Portland trailing by three, Avdija had a chance to seal his remarkable night with a game-winning three-pointer.
The shot, however, was slightly too strong, denying the Blazers a dramatic victory. “It felt good,” Avdija said of the attempt. “It was a little bit too strong.”
A Historic Performance
Beyond achieving the milestone triple-double, Avdija matched his season-high in points, shooting an efficient 8-of-13 from the field, 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line—a new personal best. His contribution was crucial, as Portland’s offense leaned heavily on his playmaking and scoring.
Despite five turnovers, Avdija’s performance placed him in elite company, making him just the eighth player this season to record a 30+ point triple-double.
He joined a list that includes NBA superstars Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama.
“Deni was great the whole time,” Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups praised. “We needed every single one of [his points].”
A Crushing Defeat
The Blazers’ defeat snapped their four-game winning streak, dropping them to a 27-34 record. Cleveland, playing without star guard Donovan Mitchell, saw standout performances from De’Andre Hunter, who scored 32 points, and Ty Jerome, who contributed 25 points, six assists, and six steals. Evan Mobley added 20 points before fouling out.
For Portland, Anfernee Simons recorded 27 points despite shooting struggles, while Toumani Camara added 19 points and four steals. Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson chipped in with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
In overtime, Avdija’s fatigue became apparent. He missed a layup with Portland down by five and misfired on a full-court pass that led to a turnover. Even so, he remained a driving force for the Blazers until the final buzzer.
A Rising Star
Despite the bitter outcome, Avdija’s performance was a landmark moment for Israeli basketball and a testament to his growth as one of the NBA’s rising stars. “Maybe tomorrow it’ll make me smile a little bit,” Avdija reflected. “But I worked hard. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates making some tough shots.”
Avdija and the Blazers will look to rebound when they face the Philadelphia 76ers in their next matchup, with the young forward eager to build on his historic showing.