Deni Avdija, the Israeli forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, delivered a commanding performance on Sunday night, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the NBA. Avdija's latest display in a 105-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors left fans, analysts, and teammates in awe, with many declaring the team belongs to him.
In the game, Avdija scored 19 points, including several clutch plays in critical moments, while adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His breathtaking dunk over Toronto's Orlando Robinson was a moment that electrified the crowd and sparked widespread praise. "I got everyone jumping," Avdija said post-game, reflecting on the highlight-reel slam. "I just try to play as hard as I can, that's what I do. My teammates want me to succeed, we have good chemistry."
Analysts see him as a cornerstone for Portland, with one fan page, Blazers Argento, writing on X, "We're crazy about him." The official NBA page echoed this sentiment, posting a video of his "fearless" dunk with the caption, "Deni Avdija PUNCHES IT 😤
."
The accolades didn't stop there. Trail Blazers commentator Tom Haberstroh boldly stated, "Deni Avdija been an All-Star level," a view shared by many. Analysts from PMB broke down his contribution, noting, "A steady forward with dribbling skills who can penetrate the basket is key for teams in the modern NBA." Avdija's versatility was on full display, as he also contributed defensively, a point emphasized with game photos showing his hustle.
Deni Avdija PUNCHES IT 😤@trailblazers come back from 16 down for the win! pic.twitter.com/MxVOzH8KEG
— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2025
Avdija was thrilled with his milestone moment, telling the media, "This was my first poster in the league," referring to the term used to describe a forceful and overpowering dunk shot. Fan pages on X erupted, with one calling it "Avdija's most beautiful move in the NBA so far, no doubt, it was a stunning poster." The dunk, combined with his stat line, underscored his growing influence on the court and within the Trail Blazers' roster.
Portland's victory marked another chapter in Avdija's breakout season, where he's proving doubters wrong and winning over skeptics.
