Trail Blazers All-Star guard Deni Avdija leaves game vs. Suns with lower back injury

Trail Blazers All-Star guard Deni Avdija leaves game vs. Suns with lower back injury | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) tries to drive to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

PHOENIX (AP) — Portland All-Star guard Deni Avdija left the Trail Blazers’ game Sunday against the Phoenix Suns because of a lower back injury and the team said he won’t return to the game.

Avdija was listed as questionable coming into the game, but decided to play. He lasted just one minute before leaving the court and going back to the locker room.

Avdija — who has been battling lower back issues for weeks — came into the night averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Trail Blazers All-Star guard Deni Avdija leaves game vs. Suns with lower back injury | iNFOnews.ca
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

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