Deni Avdija simply refuses to stop. The Israeli basketball star extended his stellar start to the NBA season Wednesday night by delivering another high‑scoring performance—his sixth straight game of at least 23 points. This time he exploded for 32 points (just one shy of his season high) in a 125‑117 road win for the Portland Trail Blazers over the New Orleans Pelicans, improving Portland’s record to 5‑6.
Avdija finished 12‑of‑18 from the field, 4‑of‑8 from three‑point range and 4‑of‑5 at the free‑throw line. He added two assists, one rebound and one steal in 35 minutes, posting a plus‑minus of +16 (second highest on the team). Over his last five games, the Israeli forward is averaging 29.8 points per night—a mark among the highest in the league.
He kicked off the game in perfect rhythm, hitting three three‑pointers from three attempts and scoring 11 points in under eight minutes. In the second quarter his shot went cold for the first time, but he continued to set the tempo while Shaedon Sharpe offered support from the wing with timely plays.
The Pelicans were again without their two stars—Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Jordan Poole (hip). Center Ibs Misi returned after missing four games but played only two minutes before being ejected along with Jerami Grant following a heated altercation under the basket.
At halftime, New Orleans held a narrow lead, 57‑59, but Portland dominated the third quarter, opening with a 4‑17 run. Avdija scored the first four points of that run as the Blazers surged to a 63‑75 lead. The Pelicans trimmed it to 77‑76 thanks to three‑pointers by Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy, but Jer Holiday took over the game with seven straight points, pushing Portland to an 85‑95 margin by quarter’s end.
In the fourth, New Orleans attempted another comeback—Bey cut the lead to 112‑109—but Sharpe then delivered a string of big plays: a drive, a jump shot, a steal and a powerful dunk that sealed the win for Portland.
Sharpe led his team’s scorers with 35 points on 13‑of‑18 shooting, Holiday added 17 points and 12 assists, and Toumani Camara contributed 13. On the Pelicans’ side, rookie Derrick Quinn set a season‑high with 26 points and Saddiq Bey added 25. New Orleans continues to struggle this season.
Next up for Portland: a matchup in two days against the red‑hot Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.