The National Basketball Association weekend offered little solace on the scoreboard for either Portland or Brooklyn, but for Israeli basketball fans, it delivered another reminder of just how brightly the country’s rising NBA talents continue to shine.
At the center of the action once again was Deni Avdija, who nearly willed the shorthanded Trail Blazers to an upset of league-leading Oklahoma City before falling 123-115. Avdija produced one of the finest performances of his career, recording 31 points, a season-high 19 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double.
Portland opened with an unconventional, center-less lineup, and for more than three quarters matched the NBA’s best team possession for possession. When Rayan Rupert drilled a three late in the fourth to pull the Blazers within two, the Moda Center roared, sensing another Avdija-led push was coming.
But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a flurry of clutch mid-range jumpers that sealed the Thunder’s league-best 20-1 start and left Portland applauding its own resilience. Avdija, who has grown into a nightly focal point for Israeli fans across the league, emphasized the fight the Blazers showed despite missing multiple key players.
“I’m so proud of the guys that have come in and filled those roles,” the 24-year-old Israeli said afterward. “We’re definitely missing the key guys, and I hope they’re going to recover and come back soon. But I’m proud… I can’t complain.”
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With several veteran scorers injured, Wolf erupted for 17 points in his first 15 minutes and finished with a career-best 22, showcasing the shooting range and offensive feel that have made him one of the most intriguing first-year players in the league.
His four early three-pointers punctuated a first half in which he outscored every Net except Giannis Antetokounmpo, and for Israeli supporters tracking the Flatbush 5, it marked the most dynamic glimpse yet of what he might become.
Wolf wasn’t the only rookie making noise. Nineteen-year-old Israeli guard Ben Saraf – still working his way back from injury and G League minutes – logged 29 energetic minutes off the bench, finishing with 10 points and seven assists.
His chase-down block on Ryan Rollins in the first quarter highlighted the defensive urgency Brooklyn’s coaches have been urging him to bring, and he added two three-pointers that reflected growing confidence from long range.
Though his path has been slowed by setbacks, Saraf’s return to the rotation was a welcome sight for fans tracking the unprecedented wave of Israeli talent across the NBA.
For Israeli followers watching Avdija’s star rise in Portland while Wolf and Saraf carve out their early roles in Brooklyn, the weekend was another reminder that the country’s NBA presence is not only growing – it is beginning to flourish.