Despite setting an unfortunate career-high on Monday night with 10 turnovers during Portland’s 125:103 home loss to Philadelphia, Deni Avdija is still earning praise. While his double-digit turnovers didn’t go unnoticed, the Israeli forward continued to showcase the skills and effort that have drawn acclaim in recent weeks—a stretch of games where he has truly excelled.
To be sure, Avdija’s ball-handling on Monday marked a low point in his NBA career. However, it’s worth noting that until this season, he wasn’t tasked with a significant role as a playmaker or offensive initiator. When players take on such responsibilities, growing pains like these are often part of the process. Even 'BlazersEdge,' a site dedicated to covering Portland, acknowledged this reality.
"Avdija came to play on both ends of the floor," the site noted. "He kept attacking the rim with force, but his passing and decision-making were problematic. He committed 10 turnovers in 33 minutes, but even when he struggled as a point forward, he was still the first to hustle back on defense. He forced the opposition to think twice and disrupted a few fast breaks. That’s part of a playmaker’s job, and it seems Avdija understands that."
Their sentiments were echoed by the Israeli star: “I’m taking the responsibility. I’ve never had that amount [of turnovers], but the ball was not in my hands very good today. They scored a lot of points from my turnovers.”
That said, Avdija’s 10 turnovers (out of Portland’s 24 as a team) don’t overshadow the fact that he has moved past a slow start to the season and is now in the middle of an impressive stretch. His other stats from Monday night—17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal—are further evidence of his strong play.
Over the last 10 games, Avdija has averaged 16.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. For the season overall, his averages stand at 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, showing consistent improvement and increased contributions on offense.
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Beyond his performance on the court and the growing trust he’s receiving from head coach Chauncey Billups, Avdija appears to be settling in well with his new team. Before the Blazers’ game against Utah, Avdija surprised his teammates with Christmas gifts, demonstrating his camaraderie and leadership. Then, ahead of Monday night’s game, he took the microphone to address the home crowd.
"I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season," Avdija told the fans at the Moda Center. "On behalf of myself and the entire team, we want to wish you and your families a happy new year. We love you." His heartfelt words were met with an enthusiastic round of applause from the crowd.