Deni Avdija, Deni Avdija injury, Trail Blazers
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Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the game against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on January 11, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Trail Blazers All-Star wing Deni Avdija left Sunday’s 92-77 win over the Phoenix Suns with a lower back injury.
Avdija, listed as questionable with the same injury before the game, lasted less than a minute before heading to the trainer’s room, raising major concerns for the Blazers.
The Israeli star appeared to tweak his back while trying to backdown a Suns defender in the midpost area. Once he passed the ball to Blazers stretch-5 big man Donovan Clingan, Avdija was seen clutching his back in pain before he asked out of the game. The Blazers announcers reacted with grave concern.
“There seemed to be absolutely no contact on there,” play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro said on the air, while saying that Avdija was “grimmacing” in pain.
Deni Avdija Injury Concerns
Avdija initially sustained the back injury during the loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 11, after which he sat out 10 of the final 17 games before the All-Star game. At the time, Avdija declared that he was not concerned about his injury.
“I’m not really concerned,” Avdija said, via The Rose Garden Report.
“I’m a tough guy. I’m going to be alright. I’m telling you, as soon as I’m walking on two feet, I’ll be able to play.”
Blazers beat writers such as Sean Highkin have previously noted that Avdija often plays through nagging injuries. As such, his latest injury was likely severe enough for him to check himself out and not return for the remainder of the game.
Some fans have also speculated that Avdija may be dealing with the after-effects of his Jan. 10 car accident, when a driver reportedly ran a red light and hit his vehicle.
RIPCITYY🌹
Deni Avdija was in a car accident on Jan. 10 (car ran red light)
– Jan 11. Deni injures back vs NYK – Misses 10 of the next 17 games before All-Star Break – Plays in All-Star Game – Still has Back soreness, plays 30 min vs DEN, leaves tonight’s game after 1 min
Gotta wonder if
Trail Blazers Playoff Hopes
The latest Avdija injury setback comes at a crucial time for a Trail Blazers (28-30) team locked in a tight battle with the LA Clippers (27-30) for the ninth seed in the West. The one thing working in Portland’s favor of securing a play-in spot is that the 10th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and 11th-seeded Dallas Mavericks are out of contention due to injuries and key players getting shut down for the stretch run of the season.
The Blazers are trying to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Their four-year playoff drought is their longest since the early 2000s, when they missed the postseason for five consecutive years from 2003-04 to 2007-08.
After the All-Star break, Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter revealed that the team spent time together during the break to build more chemistry and declared that they were “ready” to make a playoff push.
“It was good,” Splitter said, via Oregon Live. “A little sunshine. Neighbors. Barbecues.
“Now it’s back to work.”
First-time All-Star Avdija also credited chemistry for Portland’s successful season.
“The team chemistry is there, everybody’s happy for each other and we just want to finish these 26 games strong,” he said said. “We don’t have a limit. I think we’re a very talented team. We’re well put together. We have the pieces. We just have to stay focused and be together and the playoffs (are) not far.”