Deni Avdija delivered the biggest performance of his NBA career Tuesday night, scoring 41 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers past the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in a Western Conference play-in game in Phoenix.
Afterward, the Blazers forward said his mindset was simple. “I basically wanted to go downhill and kind of break into the paint and create. Whether it’s for me, go to the basket or somebody else to shoot it,” Avdija said. “I felt like I was just being aggressive the whole night going downhill.”
Portland trailed by 11 with about seven minutes left, but Avdija said the comeback started with poise. “I feel like we kept our composure and I think back in the beginning of the season we weren’t very disciplined and staying together and like finishing games,” he said.
“We showed character today. We showed growth. We showed character. We show we’re capable of keeping our composure and making winning plays. We didn’t give up the whole game. That’s what matters.”
Avdija finished 15-of-22 from the field with 12 assists and seven rebounds, repeatedly collapsing Phoenix’s defense and setting up Portland’s late-game offense. He said the team’s confidence never wavered even as the game tightened.
“It was a physical game and they brought the juice, they brought the energy. They really played good defense. It was a scrappy game, but in the end of the day, the team that keeps their composure together and succeed to just be aggressive and make the shots wins at the end,” he said.
The fourth quarter also tested Portland’s discipline, but Avdija said the group stayed locked in on the details. “I think the key to the game was just, you know, being very focused on the details. I’m keep mentioning the details because it feels like a playoff game and I feel like every possession matters.”
When asked about the moment Jrue Holiday pulled him away from the referee near the end, Avdija smiled. “I just thought it was a foul and like I just started having a conversation with the referee that could ended up in the technical. So, he pulled me back. He did a good job. That’s a vet move.”
Avdija also connected the night to the bigger picture for Portland. “I feel like Tiago came in took over brought the energy every single night wanted us to succeed he believed in each and every single one of us and it paid out,” he said.
He reserved special praise for the group around him. “I think let me talk about I did feel that I did have growth this season, but I feel like as a team we had growth this season, and I think that’s the most important.”
Avdija said the job is not finished, but the standard is clear now. “I mean, I just going to keep being aggressive, keep making the right play, be a good teammate, and yeah, move forward.”
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