Deni Avdija poured in 41 points, steering the Portland Trail Blazers from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to a 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns. This win secures Portland the Western Conference's No. 7 playoff seed.
Avdija's clutch performance, including a go-ahead 3-point play with 16.1 seconds left, marked a dramatic turn of events after Phoenix held an 11-point lead with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.
The Trail Blazers, having overcome this deficit, now face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns, meanwhile, will enter a do-or-die play-in game against either the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Clippers for the right to advance.
Avdija's Playoff Debut
Tuesday night's play-in game was the first postseason contest of Avdija's six-year NBA career. He previously spent four seasons with the Washington Wizards before a trade to Portland last season, where his role and statistical output saw a notable increase. This season, Avdija averaged 24.2 points and 6.7 assists.
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In the win against Phoenix, Avdija's impact extended beyond scoring, with contributions to numerous assists and a significant portion of the team's offensive output. Teammate Jrue Holiday expressed admiration for Avdija's composure during the critical moments of his playoff debut.
Suns' Season Hangs in Balance
Phoenix, despite a strong offensive showing from Jalen Green (35 points) and Devin Booker (22 points), faltered in the closing minutes. A late run by the Blazers, capped by Avdija's decisive play, sealed their fate. The Suns' path to the playoffs now hinges on navigating the final play-in stage.
