Deni Avdija ties Lillard’s triple-double record in a dazzling display that has Portland Trail Blazers fans buzzing, as the Israeli forward matched Damian Lillard’s franchise mark for the second-most 30-point triple-doubles on November 19 against the Atlanta Hawks.
In a career-night performance at Moda Center, Avdija poured in 32 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists, plus two steals and a block on efficient 11-of-22 shooting across 38 minutes, propelling the Blazers to a gritty 112-108 victory.
The stat-stuffing masterpiece tied him with Lillard at four such games, trailing only Clyde Drexler’s six in Rip City lore, and announced the 23-year-old’s arrival as Portland’s new cornerstone amid a rebuild centred on youth and versatility.
Avdija’s explosion couldn’t have come at a better time for a Blazers squad hungry for identity post-Lillard trade. Acquired from Washington in the 2024 offseason, the 2020 lottery pick has blossomed into a do-it-all force, averaging 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists over his last ten games.
Against Atlanta, he orchestrated from the jump, threading no-look passes to Scoot Henderson for lobs and draining step-back threes that silenced the Hawks’ comeback bids.
“Deni was unstoppable tonight, seeing the floor like a veteran,” head coach Chauncey Billups praised post-game, his grin wide as the arena chanted the forward’s name.
The triple-double, his fourth of the season, etched history: Only Lillard (four from 2013 to 2021) and Drexler had previously hit the 30-10-10 club in Portland colours. Stats tell the story of dominance.
Avdija’s 32 points came on a tidy 50 per cent clip, including 4-of-8 from deep, while his 11 dimes tied a career high without a single turnover—a rarity in today’s pace-and-space league.
Defensively, he swatted Trae Young’s floater and pocketed steals that sparked fast breaks, finishing plus-18 in a game decided by four. “This is what I dreamed of when I came here,” Avdija told ESPN courtside, sweat still dripping, his accent thick with emotion.
“Portland embraced me; now I give everything back.” Fans on X erupted nationwide as clips of his behind-the-back assists racked up millions of views.
The tie with Lillard carries symbolic weight. Dame’s era defined Blazers excellence with clutch heroics, but his 2023 departure left a void Avdija now fills with a different flavour – lengthy, switchable defence paired with playmaking flair.
Analysts at nba.com noted Avdija’s advanced metrics soaring: top 10 in defensive versatility among wings and climbing in assist-to-turnover ratio. “He’s not Lillard 2.0; he’s Avdija 1.0, a unicorn for this roster,” gushed commentator Kevin Calabro on the broadcast.
Portland’s front office beams. GM Joe Cronin, architect of the rebuild, called it “validation of our vision”, hinting at extension talks as Avdija enters his contract year.
With Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe sidelined, Deni’s emergence keeps the Blazers competitive at 10-8, defying lottery projections.
Next up: A marquee matchup against the Lakers on November 21, where LeBron James awaits a taste of the new Rip City threat. As Moda Center emptied into the rainy night, Deni Avdija tied Lillard’s triple-double record.
This year feels like a passing of the torch wrapped in a breakout bow. From Israel to the Northwest, one triple-double at a time, Avdija is scripting his own legend – Portland’s present, and perhaps its future.
