KEY POINTS
- Portland star Deni Avdija exited the game in the third quarter after re-aggravating a persistent back injury.
- Rookie center Donovan Clingan fueled the Blazers’ victory with a dominant 23-point performance in Phoenix.
- The shorthanded Suns played without several key starters, including Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
The Portland Trail Blazers secured a resilient 92-77 road victory against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, though the win came at a significant cost. Portland’s versatile forward Deni Avdija was forced to leave the contest early due to a recurring back injury. The injury occurred during the third quarter, causing immediate concern for a Blazers team that has leaned heavily on his All-Star caliber production this season. Avdija had only recently returned to the lineup from a similar ailment that sidelined him in January.
Despite losing their primary playmaker, the Trail Blazers found an offensive spark through rookie sensation Donovan Clingan. The young center dominated the interior, finishing the night with a team-high 23 points. His ability to control the paint and convert second-chance opportunities proved decisive as Portland pulled away in the second half. Clingan’s performance provided much-needed stability while the team adjusted to Avdija’s unexpected departure.
The Phoenix Suns entered the matchup severely depleted by a recent wave of high-profile injuries. The home team played without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is currently sidelined with a strained right hip. Additionally, forward Dillon Brooks remained unavailable after suffering a broken hand in a previous outing. These absences forced the Suns to rely on a rotating cast of bench players and new acquisitions to fill the scoring void.
The game remained a defensive struggle through the first two quarters as both teams sought a consistent rhythm. Phoenix struggled to capitalize on home-court advantage, shooting poorly from the perimeter throughout the evening. Grayson Allen provided some offensive resistance for the Suns, but the lack of a primary closer hampered their comeback efforts. Portland’s disciplined defensive rotation limited Phoenix to one of their lowest scoring totals of the season.
Interim coach Tiago Splitter praised his team’s mental toughness following a blowout loss to Denver earlier in the week. Splitter noted that the group remained composed even after Avdija signaled to the bench that he could not continue. The Blazers’ depth players, including Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson, contributed critical minutes to maintain the lead. This victory moves Portland closer to a .500 record as the Western Conference playoff race tightens.
The status of Deni Avdija remains the most pressing concern for the Portland front office moving forward. Medical staff will likely conduct further imaging on his lower back before the team continues its road trip. Avdija has been a vital component of the Blazers’ success, often leading the team in scoring and assists. Losing him for an extended period would force the young roster to accelerate their development ahead of schedule.
