Deni Avdija is putting together one of the most productive seasons ever by an Israeli player in the NBA, setting franchise records in Portland and leading the league in several statistical categories.
In his sixth NBA season, Avdija has not missed a game and leads the league in total minutes played, logging 1,340 minutes through 38 games. He is averaging 35.3 minutes per game, ranking 12th in the NBA and first on the Trail Blazers.
Portland, led by Avdija, won its fourth straight game Wednesday night with a dramatic 103-102 victory over Houston. Avdija scored a season-high 41 points, his most in a Portland uniform. Many of those points came on drives to the basket, spot-up plays and trips to the free-throw line, including five “and-one” baskets against the Rockets.
According to NBA data, Avdija leads the league in total and per-game drives to the basket at 20.4 per game, ahead of stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown and Cade Cunningham. He also ranks first in assists generated from drives, fouls drawn on drives, and free-throw attempts resulting from those plays.
Avdija has recorded 104 assists off drives this season, far more than any other player. Russell Westbrook ranks second with 68, while Gilgeous-Alexander is third with 65.
The numbers mark a significant shift from Avdija’s early NBA seasons, when finishing at the rim was a weakness. This year, he has become one of the league’s most difficult players to stop on penetration, though he also leads the NBA in turnovers off drives.
With Portland’s point guards sidelined by injuries — including Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday and Blake Wesley — Avdija has taken on the role of primary ball handler. Over the past two months, the forward has effectively operated as the team’s point guard.
He ranks fifth in the NBA in total assists, third in potential assists, third in total passes made and second in passes received. The heavy workload has also led to turnovers: Avdija leads the league with 146 total turnovers and averages 3.8 per game, third-highest in the NBA.
Avdija also leads the league in total free-throw attempts, ahead of players such as Luka Doncic, James Harden, Devin Booker and Jimmy Butler. He ranks second in made free throws and is shooting nearly 80% from the line, the best mark of his career.
In addition, Avdija leads the NBA in points scored on spot-up plays, with 204 this season.
Overall, he is averaging career highs of 26.3 points, seven assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. Those numbers have positioned him as a leading candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
If Avdija maintains his pace and Portland remains in playoff contention — the Trail Blazers currently sit ninth in the Western Conference — he could make history as the first Israeli to earn the honor, with the possibility of more milestones to follow.