Trail Blazers Announce Deni Avdija News on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 9:02 PM ET

The Portland Trail Blazers have been playing better basketball as of late, looking more competitive as their rebuild begins to take shape.

A huge reason for their improved play has been the emergence of small forward Deni Avdija, who has taken a massive step forward in his sixth NBA season.

The 25-year-old is a serious candidate for the Most Improved Player award, thanks to his expanded offensive role and all-around impact.

Avdija has shown greater confidence as a scorer, attacking the rim with consistency while also knocking down perimeter shots at a respectable clip. His playmaking has elevated Portland’s offense, as he has become a reliable facilitator who can create for teammates while still carrying the scoring load.

Through 40 games, Avdija has posted 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8)Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

During Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks, Avdija put together another strong performance, finishing with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists across 38 minutes of action.

However, the real concern emerged late in the fourth quarter when he headed back to the locker room in visible discomfort.

After the game, Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter expressed caution, saying, “I don’t want to sound the alarms too early, but I am worried about it” (h/t Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report).

On Monday, Portland announced its official injury report for Tuesday’s road matchup against the Golden State Warriors, ruling Avdija out with lower back soreness.

INJURY REPORT 1/13 @ GSW:

OUT
Deni Avdija (Lower Back Soreness)
Scoot Henderson (L Hamstring Tear)
Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon)
Kris Murray (Lumbar Strain)
Matisse Thybulle (R Knee Tendinopathy)
Blake Wesley (R Foot Fracture)

DOUBTFUL
Jerami Grant (L Achilles Tendonitis)
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) January 13, 2026

The designation suggests that Splitter’s concern was warranted, and the team will need to be careful in managing his workload moving forward.

Avdija’s breakout season has been one of the few bright spots in Portland’s rebuild, and his health will be critical if the Trail Blazers hope to sustain their recent progress.

Selected ninth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, he spent four seasons developing into a versatile forward before being traded to Portland in 2024 in a deal involving Malcolm Brogdon and draft picks. That move marked a fresh chapter in his career — one in which he has flourished.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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