Portland, Ore. (April 15, 2026)

Deni Avdija delivered the defining performance of his NBA career Tuesday night, erupting for 41 points as the Portland Trail Blazers rallied past the Phoenix Suns, 114-110, in a play-in showdown that secured Portland the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed and a first-round playoff matchup with San Antonio. He added 12 assists and seven rebounds, capping the night with the go-ahead three-point play with 16.1 seconds remaining.

The victory sent Portland into the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and turned Avdija into the clear focal point of one of the postseason’s opening storylines. With the Trail Blazers trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, he helped spark a late surge and took control in the closing moments, delivering the basket that put Portland ahead for good. The win completed a dramatic comeback and underscored his growing importance to the team in the season’s biggest moments.

For Israeli basketball fans, the night marked another major milestone, though not the first Israeli appearance in the NBA playoffs. That distinction belongs to T.J. Leaf, who became the first Israeli national to play in an NBA playoff game in 2018 for the Pacers. Avdija’s achievement instead stands as a landmark of a different kind: a starring, game-changing performance that carried his team into the postseason and elevated him further in the history of Israeli players in the league.

The latest chapter adds to an already significant rise for the 25-year-old forward, who has increasingly emerged as one of Portland’s most versatile and trusted players. On a night when everything was on the line, he was not simply part of the story — he drove it.

Now, with a playoff series against the Spurs set to begin Sunday, Avdija enters the postseason with momentum, confidence and one of the most memorable performances any Israeli player has produced on an NBA stage.

DENI DELIVERED. https://t.co/B4pNyTF9bS pic.twitter.com/CK7HmTTFz3

— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2026

Deni Avdija makes history as the first Israeli to reach the NBA Playoffs
He didn’t just get to the Playoffs…he led the way. A historic night, scoring 41 points and game-changing baskets, with the go-ahead shot at just 16 seconds left. Israeli pride shining on the NBA… pic.twitter.com/as00QgHECp

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) April 15, 2026

DENI JUST DOMINATED

41 PTS
7 REB
12 AST
2 BLK
3 3PM

Portland clinches the West #7 seed and will face San Antonio in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google! pic.twitter.com/4dF1VcsLC1

— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2026