Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija exited Sunday night’s 112-106 loss to the New York Knicks after suffering a lower-back injury with 1:56 left in the fourth quarter at Moda Center.
Avdija, 25, grimaced and clutched the left side of his back after leaping for a rebound, then rolled the ball to teammate Caleb Love and signaled for a substitution before limping to the locker room. He told reporters afterward the issue was “nothing major” and that he planned to “recover as fast as I can,” though he needed assistance to remove his socks and conducted interviews standing because he could not sit.
“I just felt my back give up on me and I couldn’t straighten up,” Avdija said, adding that his return remains “TBD.”
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter struck a more cautious tone. “It’s a tough hit after what he’s doing for us,” Splitter said. “I’m definitely worried.”
Avdija has appeared in all 40 games this season, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Portland, now 19-21, had won five straight before Sunday and currently holds a play-in position.
Holiday Returns
The game also marked the return of veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who played for the first time since missing 27 contests with a right calf strain. The 33-year-old logged 16 minutes off the bench, finishing with eight points, two rebounds and four assists.
“I don’t have too many years left, so I’d love to play as many games and minutes as I can,” Holiday said, noting that recurring calf tightness had delayed his comeback.
Source: Hoops Rumors
