Avdija's 41‑point surge

Deni Avdija sent Portland into the playoffs on Tuesday night, scoring 41 points in a 114-110 play-in win over Phoenix. (sports.yahoo.com) Avdija added 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Yahoo Sports reported he shot 15 for 22 from the field with 3 made three-pointers. The Associated Press recap said his three-point play with 16.1 seconds left gave Portland the lead for good. (sports.yahoo.com) (aol.com) The game was the Western Conference 7-versus-8 play-in matchup on April 14, 2026. ESPN’s schedule shows Portland now opens the first round against San Antonio on Sunday, April 19. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) The play-in format gives the No. 7 and No. 8 teams one game for the No. 7 seed, while the loser gets another chance in the No. 8 seed game. Portland took the direct route; Phoenix dropped into the April 17 elimination game for the West’s last playoff spot. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) For Portland, the result ended a four-year playoff drought and turned a rebuilding season into a postseason berth. Yahoo Sports said the Blazers will face the Spurs in the opening round after Avdija decided the No. 7 seed game. (sports.yahoo.com) (msn.com) For Phoenix, the loss cost the Suns an immediate playoff berth despite playing at home. ESPN’s schedule lists Phoenix in Friday’s West 8th-seed game, where a second loss would end its season. (espn.com) (newsday.com) The swing came late. The Associated Press recap said Portland erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, and Avdija finished the comeback with the go-ahead three-point play in the final 17 seconds. (aol.com) Avdija, a 25-year-old forward, had never had a postseason line like this in the National Basketball Association. By the end of Tuesday night, he had turned Portland’s play-in game into a playoff ticket. (sports.yahoo.com)