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abr 15 2026PHOENIX — The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the NBA play-in tournament, with Deni Avdija's dominant 41-point performance proving decisive as Phoenix collapsed in the final quarter after leading by 11 points, now facing an elimination game.
The game started at a brisk pace with the Phoenix Suns playing efficiently. Jalen Green led the attack from the opening tip with 10 points in an nearly flawless start, while Devin Booker also took on offensive responsibilities. With that momentum, the Suns closed the first quarter ahead (33-31), displaying great offensive fluidity.
However, the second quarter changed the script. Deni Avdija began imposing his pace and led a 12-2 run that turned the game around and allowed the Portland Trail Blazers to take control. The lead reached double digits, also fueled by Portland's three-point accuracy, which punished Phoenix's drought from beyond the arc for over 20 minutes. Still, Phoenix responded before halftime thanks to Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin, including a four-point play at the buzzer that left the score at 65-62 at the break.
After the halftime break, the Portland Trail Blazers struck first with a 10-2 run in the third quarter, also taking advantage of Devin Booker's foul trouble. The game intensified with more physical play, and the Phoenix Suns found relief with several three-pointers that allowed them to cut into the deficit. A strong final stretch of the third quarter, with a 13-4 run, left the score at 83-82 heading into the final period.
The start of the fourth quarter was the Phoenix Suns' best moment. Led by Jalen Green (35 points), the visitors put together an 11-0 run that gave them their first significant lead of the game, reaching an 11-point advantage. Everything seemed to be going their way, but the Portland Trail Blazers refused to quit.
The home team's comeback came at the crucial moment. An 8-0 run brought Portland back into the game, and from there the back-and-forth exchanges continued in the final minutes. Despite a crucial three-pointer from Green and several plays that seemed to give Phoenix breathing room, turnovers and fouls—including Booker's fifth—ultimately proved costly.
In the final moments, Deni Avdija appeared again. The small forward delivered a decisive and-one in the closing seconds to put the Portland Trail Blazers ahead, who never relinquished the lead until the final 114-110 score. His 41-point performance was the decisive factor on a night of maximum tension in the NBA play-in.
This victory allows the Portland Trail Blazers to advance and face the San Antonio Spurs in the next playoff matchup, while the Phoenix Suns see their season hanging by a thread.
The Phoenix Suns will now play a decisive game on Friday against the winner of the Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Clippers matchup, where they will fight for their playoff survival: a victory would put them in the playoffs as the eighth seed, while a loss would end their season.
