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Deni Avdija

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket as San Antonio Spurs center/forward Luke Kornet defends during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
April 29, 2026, 10:56 am
Avdija’s breakout NBA season ends as Trail Blazers knocked out of playoffs
Israeli basketball star scores 22 points as team loses to San Antonio Spurs
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP)
April 15, 2026, 8:43 am
In first for an Israeli, Avdija leads Portland to NBA playoffs with 41 points
Lead changes several times throughout game with Phoenix; Trail Blazers to face San Antonio in first round of Western Conference playoffs
By DAVID BRANDT
Left to right: Brooklyn Nets' Ben Saraf in action during an NBA basketball game on March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke); Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija competing against the Brooklyn Nets on March 16, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II); Brooklyn Nets' Danny Wolf competing against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 16, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
March 18, 2026, 1:12 am
In first, NBA game features 3 Israelis — Avdija, Wolf and Saraf
All-Star Deni Avidja says energy reminded him of Menora arena in Tel Aviv, after he and Ben Saraf hug and exchange jerseys, as Jewish basketball fans show up in force
By Gabe Friedman
Spike Lee wears a pro-Palestinian shirt and bag as he smiles from his courtside seat during the NBA All-Star basketball game Feb. 15, 2026, in Inglewood, California (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
February 18, 2026, 11:48 am
Spike Lee defends pro-Palestinian outfit, says not meant to disrespect Avdija
Filmmaker says he was unaware Avdija was first Israeli NBA All-Star when he wore keffiyeh sweater to game, getup was ‘not intended as a gesture of hostility to Jewish people’
By ToI Staff
Spike Lee at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game held at the Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images via JTA)
February 17, 2026, 2:10 am
Spike Lee wears pro-Palestinian outfit to NBA All-Star Game featuring 1st Israeli player
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving wears “PRESS” t-shirt dedicated to journalists killed in Gaza, with some pro-Israel fans claiming wardrobe choice meant to target Deni Avdija
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Kevin Durant of Team USA Stripes (R) shoots against Deni Avdija of Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP)
February 16, 2026, 5:01 am
Deni Avdija makes history as first Israeli to play as NBA All-Star
Avdija scores 5 points and makes 4 assists during 15 minutes on basketball court, though his team of international stars loses both contests, missing out on round-robin championship
By ToI Staff and AFP
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives to the basket against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
February 15, 2026, 9:50 am
With breakout NBA season, Israel’s Avdija elevating his game to new heights
The first-ever Israeli to make the All-Star Game, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv superstar is boxing out haters while on a fast break to basketball greatness for the Trail Blazers
By Zev Stub
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (left) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, December 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
February 2, 2026, 6:47 am
‘Hard to believe’: Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli to be selected as NBA All-Star
Portland Trail Blazers star forward is enjoying breakout season and has thrilled fans in Israel, where he grew up on a kibbutz; game is February 15
By jacob gurvis
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes for a layup during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, January 18, 2026, in Sacramento, California. (AP/Justine Willard)
January 23, 2026, 9:15 am
NBA star Deni Avdija laments ‘all the hate’ for being Israeli amid on-court success
Israeli power forward is in running for All-Star game, is current odds-on favorite to win Most Improved Player award, as he enjoys breakout season with Portland Trail Blazers
By ToI Staff
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, January 18, 2026, in Sacramento, California. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
January 20, 2026, 10:23 am
Avdija falls short of NBA All-Star starting lineup, still has hope to be a reserve
While fans rate Israeli hoopster in top 5, players and media rank him lower, putting him 7th overall; coaches will now select the 7 non-starters for Feb. 12 game
By ToI Staff
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, middle, drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Oregon, December 29, 2025. (Howard Lao/AP)
December 30, 2025, 7:30 pm
Israel’s Deni Avdija 7th in NBA All-Star Game voting in West, continuing breakout season
24-year-old Portland Trail Blazers forward could become first-ever Israeli All-Star, on the heels of becoming Israel’s all-time leading NBA scorer earlier this month
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (left) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, December 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
December 6, 2025, 1:48 pm
Deni Avdija now Israel’s all-time leading NBA scorer
Passing Omri Casspi for the record, the 24-year-old Portland forward has emerged as one of the best players in the world, and is on pace to be Israel’s first-ever NBA All Star
By Ethan Rubinson and ToI Staff
Israel's Khadeen Carrington (3) goes for a bucket over teammate Tomer Ginat (41) and several Belgian defenders during a EuroBasket game in Katowice, Poland, on September 2, 2025. (fiba.basketball)
September 2, 2025, 8:43 pm
Israel seals spot in EuroBasket final 16 for the first time in a decade
Team led by NBA hoopster Deni Advija survives Belgium comeback bid, rises to group’s top spot following unexpected drubbing of France
By ToI Staff
Ben Saraf is drafted twenty-sixth overall by the Brooklyn Nets during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025, in Brooklyn. (Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
June 26, 2025, 10:59 am
Israeli hoopsters Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf taken by Nets in first round of NBA draft
Rebuilding Brooklyn team takes Israel-born teen guard, proud Jewish Michigan forward with back-to-back picks, putting them on track to join Deni Avdija in US pro basketball league
By ToI Staff
Most of this year's Independence Day torch-lighters pose for a photo outside the Knesset with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, April 28, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 30, 2025, 9:46 am
‘Bridges of Hope’: The torch-lighters at Israel’s 77th Independence Day celebration
Annual event features freed hostage Emily Damari, cultural icons Zehava Ben and Omri Casspi, and more controversial figures Dana International and Ben Shapiro
By Amy Spiro
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