Trail Blazers Beat Suns 92-77 Despite Early Injury to Deni Avdija

Post by : Saif Nasser

The Portland Trail Blazers secured a strong 92-77 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, even after losing leading scorer Deni Avdija just one minute into the game due to a back injury.

The win was important for Portland, especially after suffering a heavy 54-point loss to Denver just two days earlier. The team showed resilience and focus as they bounced back with their fifth win in the last seven games.

Donovan Clingan led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds. He also added four blocked shots, making a big impact on both offense and defense. Jerami Grant matched Clingan with 23 points and hit three three-pointers to help Portland build and maintain its lead.

However, the game began with concern for the Trail Blazers. Deni Avdija, who has been one of the team’s top scorers this season, grabbed his lower back during a play under the basket. He left the game just 59 seconds after tipoff and did not return. Avdija has been dealing with a low back issue and had already missed five of the previous eight games.

Despite losing Avdija early, Portland stayed calm and played with strong teamwork. Toumani Camara added 12 points, including a powerful dunk in the third quarter that pushed the Blazers’ lead to 20 points. After that moment, the Suns never managed to cut the lead to single digits.

On the other side, the Phoenix Suns were already short-handed. The team was without its top three scorers: Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen. Brooks is out with a fractured left hand. Booker missed his second straight game due to a hip injury. Allen was rested for knee management after returning from a previous absence.

Collin Gillespie scored 18 points for the Suns, including four three-pointers. Jalen Green added 13 points. Still, Phoenix struggled to find rhythm on offense. The Suns shot just 36.5 percent from the field and made only 9 of their 35 attempts from three-point range.

Both teams had their lowest point totals of the season. The first quarter ended tied at 20-20, with very few successful shots from long distance. In fact, the teams combined to make only 2 of 21 three-point attempts in the opening period.

Portland began to take control in the second quarter. Jerami Grant scored 10 points in that period alone, helping the Blazers build a 47-40 lead by halftime. In the third quarter, Portland extended its advantage, leading 60-45 after Camara hit a key three-pointer.

The Suns tried to rally in the final minutes and cut the lead to 85-74 with just over four minutes remaining. However, Portland stayed steady and closed out the game without allowing Phoenix to get any closer.

The loss continues a tough stretch for the Suns. They have now lost three of their last five games. Injuries have forced Phoenix to use its 20th different starting lineup this season, showing how much the team has struggled to stay healthy.

For Portland, the win shows the team’s depth and determination. Even without their leading scorer, the Blazers found ways to score, defend, and control the game.

Still, the health of Deni Avdija will be a key concern moving forward. The team will likely monitor his back injury closely to prevent further problems.

In a long NBA season, injuries are often part of the challenge. Teams that can adapt and rely on multiple players usually find success. On Sunday night, Portland proved it can compete even when facing unexpected setbacks.