Deni Avdija ignited a stunning fourth-quarter comeback, pouring in a career-high 41 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a dramatic 114-110 upset victory over the host Phoenix Suns in a pivotal NBA Western Conference play-in game Tuesday night. Avdija’s clutch three-point play with just 16.1 seconds remaining sealed the improbable win, erasing an 11-point deficit in the final frame and ending the Trail Blazers’ four-year playoff drought.
The victory propels Portland into the main playoff bracket, where they are slated to face the formidable San Antonio Spurs, the No. 2 seed, in a best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, the Suns are left to regroup and await a second chance at postseason qualification.
Suns Face Must-Win Scenario After Play-In Stumble
Phoenix will now host a winner-take-all contest on Friday against the victor of the Wednesday night play-in matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers. The winner of that Friday showdown will secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and earn the unenviable task of facing the reigning NBA champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in their opening playoff series, also commencing on Sunday.
The dramatic conclusion to Tuesday’s game in Phoenix was a testament to the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball. With the Suns clinging to a precarious 110-109 lead, Jordan Goodwin sank a reserve layup with 32.5 seconds left, seemingly putting Phoenix in a commanding position. However, Goodwin missed a crucial free throw after being fouled on the play, giving the Trail Blazers a lifeline. Portland quickly called a timeout to orchestrate their final possession.
Avdija’s Heroics and Trail Blazers’ Late Surge
The strategic timeout paid dividends as Avdija drove through the heart of the Suns’ defense, drawing a foul and completing a pivotal three-point play to give Portland the lead. The Suns had one final opportunity to respond, but Jalen Green’s contested three-point attempt with six seconds remaining clanked off the rim. In the ensuing scramble for the rebound, Portland’s Matisse Thybulle expertly stole the ball from Goodwin and immediately found a streaking Jerami Grant for an uncontested dunk with just six-tenths of a second left on the clock, putting the final nail in the Suns’ coffin.
Avdija’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, with a remarkable 14 of his 41 points coming in the decisive fourth quarter. His offensive outburst was complemented by a well-rounded stat line, as he also dished out 12 assists and corralled seven rebounds, showcasing his multifaceted impact on the game.
Supporting Cast Steps Up for Portland
The Trail Blazers also received significant contributions from their supporting cast. Jrue Holiday provided a vital spark with 21 points, while Jerami Grant added 16 points, including two clutch three-pointers in the game’s waning moments. Portland finished the game on an electrifying 17-5 run, demonstrating their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
For the Suns, Jalen Green carried a heavy offensive load, scoring a team-high 35 points. Devin Booker added 22 points, and Dillon Brooks contributed 20, but their combined efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome Portland’s relentless second-half surge.
Suns’ Fourth-Quarter Collapse Masks Strong Run
The narrative of the game shifted dramatically in the fourth quarter. Entering the final period trailing 83-82, the Suns appeared to seize control by scoring the first 11 points, establishing a 10-point advantage. This initial burst extended a significant 24-4 run that had begun midway through the third quarter, a period where Avdija’s layup had given Portland a brief 79-69 lead.
The momentum, however, proved to be fleeting. The Trail Blazers methodically chipped away at the deficit. Holiday and Avdija connected on back-to-back three-pointers, narrowing the gap to 100-97 with just over four minutes remaining. The game’s intensity escalated, with a flagrant-1 foul called on Donovan Clingan for pulling Brooks down on a made basket by Avdija.
Grant then drained another crucial three-pointer, and Shaedon Sharpe added two free throws with 2:29 left, bringing Portland to within a single point at 105-104. Grant’s subsequent trey gave the Trail Blazers their first lead since the third quarter, putting them ahead 107-106. Booker briefly reclaimed the lead for Phoenix with two free throws, making it 108-107 with 1:34 on the clock. Following a Portland turnover and a missed shot by Booker, Avdija’s driving layup with 37.3 seconds remaining put the Blazers up 109-108, setting the stage for Goodwin’s ill-fated attempt to regain the lead.
Implications for the Western Conference Playoff Picture
Avdija’s heroic performance not only secured a playoff berth for the Trail Blazers but also significantly reshaped the perception of the Western Conference playoff landscape. Upsetting a higher-seeded team like the Suns in a high-pressure play-in game demonstrates the Blazers’ capability to compete against top-tier competition. Their next opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, will undoubtedly take notice of Portland’s newfound momentum and Avdija’s explosive offensive potential.
For the Phoenix Suns, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. After investing heavily in their roster, the expectation was a deep playoff run. Their path forward is now fraught with peril, requiring them to navigate a treacherous do-or-die game against either the Warriors or the Clippers, and then face the daunting challenge of the defending champion Thunder. The pressure on the Suns’ star players to deliver in these upcoming contests will be immense.
A Tale of Two Play-In Battles: Hornets Advance in Overtime Thriller
In another dramatic play-in contest on Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornets secured their passage to the next round of the Eastern Conference tournament with an exhilarating 127-126 overtime victory against the Miami Heat. LaMelo Ball provided the decisive blow, hitting a go-ahead layup with just 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime, and Miles Bridges sealed the win with a crucial block at the buzzer.
Ball led the charge for the ninth-place Hornets with 30 points, while Miles Bridges added 28. Charlotte forced overtime when Coby White, a mid-season acquisition, sank one of his five three-pointers with 10.8 seconds left in regulation. White’s clutch performance drew praise from Hornets coach Charles Lee, who highlighted his resilience and ability to perform in critical moments.
Hornets Eyeing Eastern Conference Bracket
The Hornets will now travel to face the loser of the Wednesday matchup between the seventh-place Philadelphia 76ers and the eighth-place Orlando Magic on Friday. The winner of that game will secure the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and will advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Lee emphasized the team’s character and ability to find ways to win, even when execution isn’t perfect, citing the late-game heroics as a testament to their collective spirit.
Heat’s Season Ends Amidst Controversy and Injury
For the 10th-place Miami Heat, the loss marked the end of their season, a disappointing conclusion to a campaign that had seen them battling for playoff contention. The game was marred by controversy and a significant injury. Miami’s Davion Mitchell led the team with 28 points, and Andrew Wiggins contributed 27. However, the Heat’s efforts were hampered by the early exit of center Bam Adebayo, who left the game in the second quarter with a lower-back injury after a hard fall.
The incident that led to Adebayo’s injury involved a play where Ball appeared to swipe at Adebayo’s foot. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra vehemently criticized the play, calling it "stupid" and "dangerous," and suggested Ball should have been ejected. Ball, however, denied intentionally tripping Adebayo, attributing the contact to being hit in the head and disoriented. He expressed his regret and intent to check on Adebayo’s well-being.
The Heat’s season concluded in a hard-fought contest that featured 17 ties and 16 lead changes, underscoring the competitive nature of the play-in tournament and the fine margins that can decide a team’s fate.
