Deni Avdija Returns with a Statement, Blazers Surge to .500 with Win Over Kings
The Portland Trail Blazers are officially back at even. And after the way they handled business in Sacramento, it’s clear this midseason surge is more than just a hot streak - it’s becoming a statement.
With a 117-110 win over the Kings on Sunday night, the Blazers climbed to 22-22, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since mid-November. That’s 10 wins in their last 13 games, and this one came with a little extra juice: the return of Deni Avdija.
After missing three games with a lower back strain, Avdija wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s been playing at an All-Star level this season. He dropped 30 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed eight boards in just 32 minutes - and did it all with the kind of poise and versatility that’s made him one of Portland’s most impactful players.
You could tell he was locked in from the jump. Just 83 seconds into the game, he hit a smooth 13-foot fadeaway to get on the board.
That was just the beginning. Avdija poured in 15 points in the first quarter - the highest-scoring opening period of his career - and by halftime, he had already stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
“Not bad for a guy that was out for like a week,” acting head coach Tiago Splitter said postgame, a bit of an understatement given the performance.
Avdija finished 10-of-18 from the field, hit a pair of threes, and knocked down all eight of his free throws. He was everywhere - draining corner triples, slicing through the lane for strong finishes, and delivering slick over-the-shoulder passes that led to fast-break dunks. And when the Kings made things interesting late, he delivered in the clutch, scoring six of Portland’s final seven points to seal the win.
He had help, too. Shaedon Sharpe continued his strong stretch with 27 points and seven rebounds, while rookie big man Donovan Clingan turned in a monster performance of his own - 21 points, 17 boards, and a physical presence that the Kings never quite solved.
Clingan was especially dominant on the glass, grabbing four of Portland’s 11 offensive rebounds and helping the Blazers pile up 23 second-chance points. He’s now recorded at least 15 rebounds in a game for the seventh time this season, tied for the second-most in the league. And while the Blazers didn’t shoot it well from deep (just 8-of-32 from three), they made up for it by absolutely owning the paint, outscoring Sacramento 62-40 down low.
Portland led comfortably for most of the game, stretching the margin to 13 with just over five minutes to go after Clingan sank a pair of free throws. But Sacramento, riding a four-game win streak and plenty of confidence, didn’t go quietly.
Zach LaVine got going inside and out. Malik Monk hit a couple of timely threes.
DeMar DeRozan did what DeMar DeRozan does - midrange buckets, savvy playmaking, and a steadying presence. Suddenly, the Kings had cut the lead to just two possessions in the final minute, flashing back to their tightly contested December matchups with Portland.
But when it mattered most, the Blazers locked in. Sacramento missed its final three shots, and Avdija and Sharpe combined to hit four of five free throws in the last 16 seconds to close the door.
With the win, Portland improved to 3-0 against the Kings this season and 6-2 on the second night of back-to-backs - a mark that speaks to this team’s growing resilience and chemistry.
“We just guarded late … rebounded the ball, really just made some big-time shots, big-time free throws and just stuck together,” Clingan said after the game. “We didn’t let the pressure and the noise get to us. We just stuck together and did what we had to do.”
That’s been the theme of this recent run - togetherness, toughness, and timely execution. And now, with Avdija healthy and the team back at .500, the Blazers are officially a team to watch in the second half of the season.