In a thrilling display of talent, Deni Avdija lit up the scoreboard with 33 points, accompanied by nine assists and eight rebounds, all within just three quarters of play. This impressive performance helped propel the Portland Trail Blazers to a decisive victory over the Utah Jazz with a final score of 137-117.
Taking place on January 6, 2026, this game marked a significant moment for Avdija, who narrowly missed achieving his second consecutive triple-double. The Trail Blazers showcased their prowess on the court, with Shaedon Sharpe contributing notably by scoring 29 points. This victory also extended Portland's winning streak to three games and allowed them to claim five wins in their last six outings.
Donovan Clingan made his presence known on the boards, pulling down an impressive 17 rebounds while adding 12 points to the team's tally. Avdija, who was honored as the Western Conference Player of the Week prior to this matchup, played about 29 minutes before resting in the fourth quarter, as the Blazers enjoyed a comfortable lead. Just two days earlier, on his 25th birthday, he had already dazzled fans with a triple-double performance—29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—in a close 115-110 win against the San Antonio Spurs.
On the opposing side, Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 22 points, while Jusuf Nurkic returned to action after missing two games due to a sprained toe, contributing 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Unfortunately for Utah, this loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat and eighth loss out of their last ten games.
The Trail Blazers demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy, hitting 53% of their shots from the field, including an impressive 40% from beyond the arc with 19 successful three-pointers out of 48 attempts. Notably, they maintained a perfect record at the free-throw line, making 20 out of 21 attempts. Sharpe sank five three-pointers, while Avdija made four, showcasing their sharpshooting abilities. In addition to their scoring, Sharpe filled the stat sheet with seven assists and five rebounds, rounding out a well-balanced team effort.
In total, seven players from the Blazers scored in double figures, with contributions coming from all five starters. Toumani Camara added 15 points, and bench players Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko each contributed 14 points, while Kris Murray rounded out the scoring with 10.
By halftime, Portland had established a commanding lead at 78-57, further extending it to 114-83 by the end of the third quarter.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder as they conclude their four-game road trip on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers will host the Houston Rockets that same evening, kicking off a two-game series.
