Deni Avdija isn’t just having a breakout season - he’s putting together the kind of campaign that demands serious All-Star consideration. And after his latest performance in the Trail Blazers’ one-point overtime win over the Kings, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore what he’s doing in Portland.
Let’s start with the eye test. Against Sacramento, Avdija didn’t exactly come out guns blazing.
For stretches, it felt like he was having a relatively quiet night. Then you look at the box score: 35 points, five rebounds, five assists.
That’s not just filling it up - that’s leading your team to a win in crunch time. And he’s doing it consistently.
Through 27 games this season, Avdija is averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. His shooting splits?
A rock-solid 48% from the field, 37% from three, and 81% from the line. Those aren’t just good numbers - they’re All-Star level numbers.
In fact, according to Blazers analytics insider Tom Haberstroh, there have been 49 instances in NBA history where a player has averaged at least 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists over a season. Every single one of them made the All-Star Game.
Let that sink in: 100% success rate for that stat line. We’re talking about a club that includes names like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Russell Westbrook. That’s not just elite company - that’s MVP-tier company.
And it’s not like Avdija is padding stats on a bad team with no direction. He’s been the heartbeat of a Blazers squad that’s been hammered by injuries.
Jrue Holiday, one of their key veterans, has been out since mid-November with a calf strain. And Portland isn’t alone - calf strains are up 40% league-wide compared to last season.
Stars across the league are missing time, including Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard.
So yes, injuries are opening doors for new faces in the All-Star conversation - but make no mistake: Avdija isn’t just sneaking in through the back door. He’s kicking it down.
He’s also helped by the NBA’s latest twist on the All-Star format. This season, the league is rolling out a new U.S. vs.
World format, and as part of that, they’re requiring at least eight international players to be named All-Stars. If that minimum isn’t met organically, more international players will be added to hit the quota.
That bodes well for Avdija, who hails from Israel.
But here’s the thing - even without the format change, even without the injury bug sweeping through the league, Avdija’s play speaks for itself. He’s been efficient, dynamic, and steady - a rare combination for a player still carving out his place in the league. And he’s doing it while carrying a battered Blazers roster through the Western Conference grind.
This isn’t just a hot streak. This is a player arriving.
So if you're filling out your All-Star ballot and wondering who deserves a nod - look toward Portland. Deni Avdija is making a compelling case, not just with stats, but with impact. He’s not just keeping the Blazers afloat - he’s giving them life.