Israeli basketball fans woke up to an emotional and action-packed NBA opening night – one that showcased both the promise of a new generation and the growing stature of Israelis in the world’s best league.
Deni Avdija began his sixth NBA season as Portland’s unquestioned leader, Ben Saraf officially entered the league as a teenage starter for Brooklyn, and Danny Wolf, the Israeli-American big man drafted alongside Saraf, watched from the bench as he recovered from an ankle injury.
In Portland, Avdija’s Blazers battled toe-to-toe with a powerhouse Minnesota Timberwolves team before falling 118-114 in a dramatic finish that slipped away in the final minutes. Despite the loss, Avdija delivered a confident and forceful performance that reflected his evolution from role player to centerpiece. The 24-year-old forward scored 20 points – despite missing all six of his three-point attempts – while adding seven rebounds, an assist, and a block in 33 minutes. His presence, energy, and aggressiveness set the tone for a young Trail Blazers squad that has embraced his attacking style.
“If Deni goes 0-for-6 from three and still gets 20 points that easily, that says everything,” one Portland reporter commented after the game. \\
Local media praised Avdija for “attacking the rim relentlessly” and for embodying Portland’s new identity – fast, physical, and fearless. Head coach Chauncey Billups, though disappointed by the result, echoed that optimism.
Brooklyn's Ben Saraf. (credit: Sam Sharpe/Imagn Images)
Brooklyn's Ben Saraf. (credit: Sam Sharpe/Imagn Images)
“I loved our fight. We made them earn this one. You can see how we want to play – together, intense, and with purpose,” he said.
Avdija’s leadership was on full display when he threw down a thunderous dunk to give Portland a late 107-103 lead, igniting the Moda Center crowd. But Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards responded with a 41-point masterpiece, including a dagger three-pointer in the final seconds to seal the win.
“We’ll have to learn how to finish these games,” Billups said. “But if we play with this energy, we’ll be in a lot of them.”
While Avdija’s new chapter in Portland began with a tough loss, it was hard not to sense that he has become the emotional anchor of a rebuilding franchise determined to fight its way back into playoff contention.
“He’s the heart of the team,” wrote one US outlet, noting that his early aggressiveness “set the tone for everyone around him.”
Across the country in Charlotte, another Israeli story began. Saraf, just 19 years and 191 days old, made his NBA debut as Brooklyn’s starting point guard, becoming the second-youngest starter in Nets history.
The Nets were overrun defensively in a 136-117 loss to the Hornets, but Saraf’s poise and maturity stood out in a game where nearly everything else went wrong for Brooklyn.
The teenager from Givatayim posted eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 20 minutes – without committing a single turnover. His first NBA basket came less than three minutes into the game: a confident drive past Brandon Miller capped by a smooth finish at the rim. Later, he added a graceful one-legged jumper over LaMelo Ball, showing glimpses of the craft and control that made him a first-round draft pick.
American analysts were quick to recognize Saraf’s feel for the game.
High understanding of the game
Nets Wire described him as having “a high understanding of the game,” while NBA writer Billy Reinhardt noted that “he looks like he belongs – tough, physical, competitive, and composed.”
Even after missing all three of his three-point attempts, Saraf’s maturity impressed head coach Jordi Fernández.
“It’s a great experience for him,” Fernández said. “This is just the beginning. He needs to learn, to earn minutes, and to grow – but he’s on the right path.”
Brooklyn, missing Wolf and defensive wing Haywood Highsmith, struggled to contain Charlotte’s shooters and trailed most of the way. Still, for Israeli fans watching from afar, seeing Saraf in a starting role – barely a year removed from youth basketball in Israel – was a surreal and emotional moment. His calm demeanor and readiness at such a young age offered a glimpse of a player who could grow into a long-term NBA contributor.
And while Wolf didn’t suit up due to his ankle injury, the former Yale star and US-born Israeli big man remains a key piece of Brooklyn’s rotation plans. The Nets expect him to make his debut soon, which would mark the first time in NBA history that two Israeli players – Saraf and Wolf – share the same roster.
For Israeli basketball followers, this opening night felt like a landmark. Avdija has become a symbol of persistence and maturity, carrying a franchise and winning respect across the league. Saraf, meanwhile, represents the next wave – a teenager with poise and vision beyond his years. And when Wolf joins them, the presence of three Israelis across two teams will be more than a coincidence – it will be a statement.
From Portland to Brooklyn, Israeli flags waved proudly in the stands and on social media feeds. The games may not have ended in victory, but for Israeli fans, the message was clear: their country’s basketball future is not just participating in the NBA – it’s beginning to shape it.