Deni Avdija’s Injury Woes Come at a Crucial Time for the Blazers
Deni Avdija hasn’t looked like himself lately-and for the Trail Blazers, that’s a problem they can’t afford right now. Over the last two games, the rising forward has turned in two of his roughest performances of the season, scoring just 17 points against the Wizards and 11 against the Knicks.
But it’s not just the scoring dip-it’s how he’s getting there. His shot has been off, the turnovers are creeping up, and the energy that usually defines his game just hasn’t been there.
There’s a clear reason for it: Avdija is battling a lower back injury, one that he’s aggravated twice now. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Cavaliers, and while he’s tried to gut it out in recent games, the question now is whether that’s what’s best for Portland-not just in the short term, but for the bigger picture.
Playing Through Pain, But at What Cost?
Avdija admitted after the Knicks game that he’s “dealing with some stuff right now,” and while he didn’t go into detail, the concern was clear. “I have the competitive nature of trying to be there for my teammates and compete,” he said, “but it’s something I have to figure out with myself, with my teammates, with the coaches.”
When asked directly about the state of his back, Avdija kept it close to the vest: “I can’t really say anything about my injury or what’s going on, but I’ll leave it to the medical staff. I’m doing a good job of recovering and coming back, but I definitely don’t feel 100%.”
That last part is the kicker. He’s not at full strength-and it’s showing.
For a Blazers team that leans heavily on his ability to create offense, both for himself and others, even a 10% drop in his explosiveness or decision-making can swing games. And in a Western Conference where every win matters, that margin is razor-thin.
The Blazers’ Postseason Push Hinges on Avdija
Portland is sitting at 23-26, 3.5 games behind the Warriors for the eighth seed. It’s not an impossible gap to close, but it is a tightrope walk-especially in a conference where seemingly every team is clawing for position. The Blazers have shown signs of life in 2026, but that momentum is in danger of stalling with Avdija not playing like the two-way force he’s become.
The team has already dealt with its fair share of injuries this season, and while Avdija’s situation doesn’t carry the same long-term risk as Scoot Henderson’s lingering hamstring issue, it’s still a delicate balance. Portland’s medical staff has been cautious all year, so it’s notable that Avdija is still suiting up even when he openly admits he’s not 100%.
That speaks volumes about his mentality-he wants to be out there. He wants to help. But sometimes the best way to help is to hit pause, get healthy, and return when you can be the player your team needs you to be.
Looking Ahead
The All-Star break is still two weeks away, and that could be a much-needed window for Avdija to reset and recover. But between now and then, the Blazers will have to navigate a tough stretch, and doing it without their most versatile forward at full capacity makes the challenge even steeper.
Avdija says he’ll be alright, and long-term, there’s no reason to doubt that. But Portland’s fight to end a four-year playoff drought isn’t about the long-term-it’s about right now.
And right now, they need Deni Avdija to be the best version of himself. If that means giving him a few games off to get there, it might be a decision worth making.
Because in this playoff race, anything less than 100% might not be enough.