We’ve often heard about how fate has a way of putting people together, but the same can be said about players and the teams they find themselves thriving in. 

The last time the Portland Trail Blazers made the playoffs, Deni Avdija was a promising rookie trying to navigate through his first NBA season and the COVID-19 pandemic. Between now and then, Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Jrue Holiday, who was also traded to the Boston Celtics. Now, both Lillard and Holiday are back with the Blazers, with the latter providing a steady backcourt presence to Avdija, who was traded to Portland in 2024. 

And now, both Avdija and the Blazers are heading to the big stage. 

Avdija saved his best game of the season for when Portland needed it the most, dropping the most surgical 41 points and 10 assists one would see despite an entire defense attuned to his every step. The 2026 NBA All-Star would not be denied and found an extra gear during the season’s extra game. 

For much of this season, Avdija was the bright spot in what was initially viewed as a lost season for the Blazers. Portland was viewed as a franchise eyeing a developmental year especially as Lillard continued to recover from a torn left Achilles tendon. Oscillating between staying above and below .500 does not usually bode well for a team in the Western Conference, but the Blazers took their cues from Avdija, who made the most out of the opportunities thrown his way to build an All-Star campaign that could potentially lead to a Most Improved Player award. 

Portland’s roster is a mix of upstart veterans and young players looking to make a mark or secure their spot on the team. Avdija has been able to help his peers and bring the squad up, from supporting Donovan Clingan in taking on a larger role, while working well with the likes of Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, and Toumani Camara. If anything, this has helped the Blazers remain competitive even against teams well above their weight class. 

It took a few years for Deni Avdija to realize his potential, but the Portland Trail Blazers are happy to have him playing his best basketball with them and not against them. How the Blazers fare in this postseason remains up in the air, but Avdija gives them a fighting chance. He’s not one to back down from a challenge and has proven that he can lift his teammates to greater heights so what’s to stop them from stealing a game or two from the San Antonio Spurs? After all, the stage hasn’t really been too big for Avdija, even when all eyes are trained on him.