{"id":408277,"date":"2026-04-24T08:46:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/408277\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T08:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:46:15","slug":"avdija-seeks-2-1-blazers-lead-spurs-label-wembanyama-as-questionable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/408277\/","title":{"rendered":"Avdija seeks 2-1 Blazers lead, Spurs label Wembanyama as questionable"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Johnny Askounis\/ info@eurohoops.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Following a physical split in San Antonio, the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> returned to practice on Thursday with a clear focus on the pivotal Game 3 matchup opposite the Spurs<\/a> in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.<\/p>\n

Israeli Deni Avdija expressed confidence in the squad\u2019s collective focus as they prepare to defend home court. \u201cI think we are in a good mental state. I feel like everybody\u2019s ready, locked in,\u201d he noted during his post-practice media session.<\/p>\n

The series moves to the Moda Center on Friday with the best-of-seven set tied at 1-1, and the 25-year-old combo forward expects the atmosphere in Portland to provide a significant boost. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a lot of noise, a lot of support, and we love playing in front of them. I think it\u2019s going to be good for us,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n

His availability had been a point of concern after a grueling Game 2, but Avdija offered a reassuring update on his physical condition. \u201cI got bruised up pretty bad last game. It was really hard for me to kind of step on my left leg, but sometimes you have to bite your lip and keep playing. It\u2019s playoff games,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Beit Zera native credited the medical staff with his recovery progress. \u201cThe doctors are doing a good job of helping me get better. I think I\u2019m going to be way better for Game 3,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

While the Blazers<\/a> remain without Damian Lillard due to an Achilles injury, the Spurs<\/a> face their own uncertainty. French starting center Victor Wembanyama, who entered concussion protocol following a fall in Game 2, has traveled with the team<\/a> but remains listed as questionable.<\/p>\n

NBA Playoffs 2026
\nEastern Conference
\nQuarterfinals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

1. Detroit Pistons<\/a> \u2013 Orlando Magic<\/a>\u00a01-1 (101-112<\/a>, 98-83<\/a>)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> \u2013 Toronto Raptors<\/a> 2-0 (126-113<\/a>, 115-105<\/a>)
3. New York Knicks<\/a> \u2013 Atlanta Hawks<\/a> 1-1 (113-102<\/a>, 106-107<\/a>)
4. Boston Celtics<\/a> \u2013 Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> 1-1 (123-91<\/a>, 97-111<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Semifinals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4<\/p>\n

Finals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

Winners of Semifinals<\/p>\n

Western Conference
\nQuarterfinals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

1. Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> \u2013 Phoenix Suns<\/a> 2-0 (119-84<\/a>, 120-107<\/a>)
2. Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> \u2013 Houston Rockets<\/a>\u00a02-0 (107-98<\/a>, 101-94<\/a>)
3. Denver Nuggets<\/a> \u2013 Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> 1-1 (126-115<\/a>, 114-119<\/a>)
4. San Antonio Spurs \u2013 Portland Trail Blazers 1-1 (111-98<\/a>, 103-106<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Semifinals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4<\/p>\n

Finals (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

Winners of Semifinals<\/p>\n

NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)<\/p>\n

Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions<\/p>\n

Read the latest News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Johnny Askounis\/ info@eurohoops.net Following a physical split in San Antonio, the Portland Trail Blazers returned to practice…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":408278,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[85,46,105],"class_list":["post-408277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=408277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408277\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/408278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=408277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=408277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=408277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}