Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija escaped a scary accident that occurred the night before his team faced the Houston Rockets on Jan. 9. The incident was reported by the Israeli news outlet Sport5.
According to the report, a car ran a red light and hit the car that Avdija was in. He fortunately emerged from the accident without injury. The NBA star’s representative released the following statement to address the matter:
“The evening before the last game, Deni Avdija was involved in a car accident in Portland that was not his fault, while he was in one of the involved vehicles. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and thank God, his condition is good, and no damage was caused to him.” (Translated from Hebrew)
The accident seemingly affected Avdija, who went from recording 41 points against the Rockets on Wednesday, shooting 13-for-24, to just 20 points in the rematch on Friday while shooting 5-for-15.
Avdija is having a career year with the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, shooting 46.7%.
His solid play has positively impacted the team’s standings, as Portland (19-20) finds itself holding ninth place in the Western Conference, sitting on the edge of a .500 record.
Deni Avdija replies to Rockets forward’s sarcastic “Zebra” remark
Deni Avdija made 23 trips to the free-throw line through two games against the Houston Rockets. After he finished the first game on Wednesday with 41 points, Rockets forward Tari Eason was asked why his team found it so tough to defend against Avdija and Co.
Eason gave a candid one-word answer, repeating the word when asked what made Avdija hard to defend.
“Zebras,” Eason said.
Tari Eason’s answer insinuated that the referees made it easier for the Trail Blazers. After handing the Rockets their second consecutive loss on Friday, Deni Avdija replied to Eason’s comment.
“It made me laugh, for real,” Avdija told reporters. “Honestly, let’s address it. I drive the most in the league, I’m very physical, and I don’t shy away from contact. I’m going downhill. I don’t care who’s in front of me, I’m going straight through him. I don’t play for those fouls, but I’m going to get fouled. It’s part of the game.”
The Blazers have won seven of their last eight games and will look to keep their run going against the New York Knicks on Sunday.
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