History in Hollywood: Israeli Player Deni Avdija Makes Historic Debut at 2026 NBA All-Star Game

The 2025/26 NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles marked a watershed moment for Israeli sports as Deni Avdija became the first player from his nation to participate in the prestigious mid-season showcase. Avdija, the 25-year-old centerpiece of the Portland Trail Blazers, arrived in style wearing a tailored beige suit, ready to lead "Team World" in a revolutionary new tournament format. After overcoming a nagging back injury that sidelined him for ten games recently, Avdija proved he belonged among the elite, averaging over 25 points per game this season. The night was structured as a three-team round-robin between the "World," the "Stars," and the "Stripes," bringing a newfound level of competition and intensity to an event often criticized for its lack of defensive effort.

Game One: World vs. Stars

Deni Avdija earned a spot in the starting lineup for the international squad, taking the floor alongside global superstars like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama. The game began with a rapid pace, and within the first three minutes, Avdija etched his name in the record books by sinking a three-pointer, his first ever points in an All-Star event. Shortly after, he demonstrated his signature versatility by assisting Wembanyama and later slamming home a transition dunk. By the seventh minute, the World team held a surprising 27:16 lead.

The intensity shifted as the American "Stars" mounted a comeback while Avdija rested on the bench. The game ended in a 32:32 deadlock, triggering a "Target Score" overtime where the first team to score five points would win. Despite Avdija returning for the extra period, a clutch three-pointer from Scottie Barnes secured a 37:35 victory for the Stars. Avdija finished his first appearance with five points, two assists, and a rebound in eight minutes of action, while Wembanyama led the team with 14 points.

Game Two: The Battle Against Legends

In his second outing, Avdija faced off against the "Stripes" team, featuring all-time greats LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Avdija once again started the game, quickly making an impact by grabbing a defensive rebound and sprinting the length of the floor to find Karl-Anthony Towns for an easy bucket. His playmaking continued as he lofted a perfect alley-oop to Pascal Siakam, helping the World team to a 27:20 lead. However, the American veterans proved too strong. Kawhi Leonard, playing in front of his home Los Angeles fans, took over the game with a flurry of three-pointers that turned the tide.

The World team needed to win by at least three points to advance to the final, but Leonard’s clinical performance and a late surge by LeBron James ended those hopes. The game finished 48:45 in favor of the Stripes, with Leonard receiving MVP chants from the stands. Avdija played a total of 15 minutes across the event, tallying five points and four assists. While his team did not reach the final, the night was a resounding success for the Israeli forward, who proved he can compete on the same hardwood as the greatest legends in basketball history.