Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija erupted for a season-high 36 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on Friday night, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Portland’s Moda Center.
It marked his second straight 30-plus point game, following a 31 point, 16 rebound performance against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Avdija became the first Blazers player since Damian Lillard to record at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in consecutive wins. Over his last two outings, he has compiled 67 points, 24 rebounds, 15 assists and nine three-pointers—making him just the fourth player in NBA history to hit those numbers in consecutive games.
He also joined Anthony Davis and Ja Morant as the only players this season to record at least 36 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 75% or better from the field. Avdija is the first Blazers player to accomplish the feat since Clyde Drexler in 1990.
“I’m working hard, I’m being humble, and for me, it’s all about the wins,” Avdija said postgame.
The victory extends Portland’s (39-32) streak to four, but they remain two games behind Dallas and Phoenix for the final play-in spot with 11 games remaining.