Nba

Between war and wins: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Euroleague playoff push fueled by resilience - interview

Recently, Maccabi General Manager Claudio Coldebella spoke with Giuseppe Nigro of La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, sharing some of the successes he has experienced this season.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
CLAUDIO COLDEBELLA reflects on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s turbulent season as the club battles adversity on and off the court in its push toward the Euroleague playoffs.
OSHAE BRISSETT has been rising to the moment, delivering several clutch performances to keep Maccabi Tel Aviv firmly in the Euroleague Play-In race.

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps Play-In hopes alive

With five games left in the Euroleague, the yellow-and-blue are within striking distance but need all hands on deck.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BROOKLYN NETS rookie guard Ben Saraf drives for a layup against fellow Israeli Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers during their teams’ duel in New York.

Blue-and-white in Brooklyn: Avdija, Saraf shine during historic night for Israeli hoops

Thousands of Israeli and Jewish fans packed the arena in Brooklyn, turning it into a sea of blue and white, as three Israelis shared the same NBA court for the very first time.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija heads to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Phoenix Suns early in the first half on Sunday night.

Avdija leaves Blazers’ victory over Suns just one minute in with back injury

During Portland’s second offensive possession, Avdija felt discomfort while backing down his defender in the post. Almost immediately, he signaled that something wasn’t right.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Deni Avdija drawn into political storm after Netanyahu’s All-Star praise

Netanyahu’s message, posted shortly after Avdija was named an All-Star reserve, read: “Every time you step onto the court, our country shines with pride.”

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija, the first Israeli selected to the NBA All-Star Game, has found his historic achievement followed by online backlash after a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Deni Avdija first Israeli to be an NBA All-Star, Gaza hospital director revealed as Hamas colonel

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
Feb 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (8)drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Why Deni Avdija’s All-Star moment feels bigger than basketball in Israel - analysis

“I’m an athlete. I don’t really get into politics, because it’s not my job. I obviously stand for my country, because that’s where I’m from,” he said in an interview last month in The New York Times.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC.

NBA star Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli chosen for All-Star game

More fans voted for the Israeli than for LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and many others.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Moda Center on February 01, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Deni Avdija nears Portland Trailblazers NBA return following injury

Portland forward Deni Avdija is close to returning after missing one game with lower-back soreness, as his strong season keeps him in the All-Star conversation.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
IN HIS sixth NBA season, Israeli forward has taken a big leap with the Portland Trail Blazers and is favored to make his first All-Star Game.

Did Washington move too soon on Avdija? Former manager Tommy Sheppard offers an answer - interview

Avdija’s first season highlighted the difficulty. An ankle injury limited him to 54 games, and according to Sheppard, that period tested his character.

JANUARY 11, 2026ByIDAN KWELLER
Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija’s NBA leap is turning Israeli hoops into must-watch TV

JANUARY 7, 2026ByISAAC KAPLAN
Basketball.

Avdija leads, Portland believes: Triple-double and turning point in road victory over Spurs

“I think we’re improving at closing games,” Avdija explained. “Everyone is disciplined defensively, helping each other. We don’t leave anyone alone, and we go get wins together.”

JANUARY 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija drives past San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet for two of his game-high 29 points – to go along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists – in the Blazers’ 115-110 road victory over the Spurs. (Daniel Dunn/Imagn Images)

Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija scores 34 as Blazers extend Pelicans' misery

Avdija buoyed the Blazers for much of the first half, having scored almost half of Portland's points deep into the second quarter.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByREUTERS
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) during the first half at Smoothie King Center, Jan 2, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.