Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija and Nets rookies Ben Saraf
and Danny Wolf became the first three Israelis to share
an NBA court in the same game, a 114-95 Portland win.
Deni Avdija (r) and Ben Saraf pose together and exchange jerseys after the Nets-Blazers game on March 16, 2026. (Credit: JNS via NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland and Brooklyn made NBA history on Monday night, March 16 when three Israeli players—rising Trail Blazers star, All Star forward Deni Avdija, and Nets rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf—shared the court in the same game for the first time, the New York Post reported.
The game, hosted by the Nets, highlighted a milestone for Israeli representation in professional basketball. Nets coach Jordi Fernández called the occasion “special,” saying the matchup underscored the significance of countries outside the United States and Europe gaining representation in the league and competing at the highest level.
Danny Wolf dribbles during the Nets-Blazers game on March 16, 2026.
(Credit: JNS via NBAE via Getty Images)
“I don’t know Deni, but I’m sure he’s excited to play. I know Ben and Danny are,” Fernández said. “Obviously, Deni, a career year and how much better he has gotten. And then our two young guys, they’re getting better. And I want to see this matchup over the years and how interesting, how cool it is to see them play against each other.”
Portland defeated Brooklyn, 114–95. Avdija finished with 18 points, five assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes. Saraf, who returned after a left calf contusion, recorded 15 points and four assists in 24 minutes, while Wolf, starting in place of an injured Michael Porter Jr., added eight points, five rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes for Brooklyn.