The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder’s perfect start to the season ended Thursday with a 121-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, led by Israeli forward Deni Avdija in a stunning comeback.
Portland rallied from a 22-point deficit to hand Oklahoma City its first loss after eight straight wins. Avdija was instrumental in the victory, posting his first double-double of the season and finishing just one assist shy of a triple-double. He totaled 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
The win marked Portland’s fourth in its last five games. The Trail Blazers will look to extend their momentum when they visit the Miami Heat on Sunday.

