Israeli History in the NBA: Unbelievable Triple-Double by Deni Avdija

In a game that will be remembered in Israel for generations: Deni Avdija scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists—becoming the first Israeli player to achieve a triple-double in the NBA. His team, Portland, ultimately lost in an overtime thriller to Cleveland, but the Israeli basketball star received widespread praise for his unforgettable performance.

Making NBA History

Deni Avdija, Israel’s representative in the world’s best basketball league, will never forget March 3, 2025.

Avdija played 42 minutes, during which he scored 30 points, collected 12 rebounds, and set a personal best for free throws in a single game with 13. He also matched his career-high in assists with 10. Despite his incredible individual achievement, his team, the Portland Trail Blazers, fell 129-133 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a dramatic game that extended into overtime.

Avdija had the opportunity to seal his historic night with a game-winning three-pointer, but unfortunately, he missed, allowing the Cavaliers to secure their 10th consecutive victory. Nevertheless, after winning four straight games prior to this matchup, Chauncey Billups' squad can take great pride in their exceptional performance—especially in their Israeli star, who led the team in scoring with a historic display.

A Career-Defining Performance

After missing the previous game due to a quadriceps injury, Avdija made a triumphant return, starting in the lineup and delivering the best game of his career—against none other than Cleveland, the team with the best record in the NBA.

With this achievement, Avdija joins an elite list of players who have recorded 30+ points along with a triple-double in a game this season. The prestigious list includes superstars such as Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Luka Dončić, and now, Israel’s own Deni Avdija.

Avdija received praise from all corners. Analyst Rich Holzman wrote: "He made plays at a Luka Dončić level. He was unstoppable. The best player on the court, even against stars like Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell."