Israeli forward Deni Avdija made his NBA All-Star debut Sunday in Los Angeles as a part f the World Team in a round robin tournament that featured a pair if USA Teams, the Stars and the Stripes with each game divided into 12-minute segments.
DENI AVDIJA ROCKS THE ISRAELI FLAG ON THE NBA ALL-STAR JERSEY!🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/WTxPacIfh0
— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) February 14, 2026
In the first game, Avdija started in the World Team’s lineup alongside Luka Dončić, Jamal Murray, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić and delivered a solid performance with 5 points including a 3-pointer along with 2 assists, one turnover and a plus-7 rating (the highest on his team) in 8 minutes, in a 37–35 overtime loss to the Stars. Scottie Barnes hit the game-winning triple in overtime where the team who scored 5 points first would be declared the winner while Anthony Edwards led the Stars with 13 points.
In the World Team’s second game, Avdija again started, this time alongside Murray, Pascal Siakam, Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns in a 48–45 loss to Team Stripes. The Sbara was scoreless in 7 minutes, recorded one rebound, 2 assists, 2 turnovers and a plus-7 rating. Wembanyama led with 19 points but unfortunately missed a 3-pointer that could have forced overtime. On the other side, Kawhi Leonard exploded for 31 points (6-for-7 from three), including the game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds. Following the pair of losses, the World Team did not advance to the final which ultimately saw the Stars defeat the Stripes 47-21.
DENI AVDIJA FIRST ALL STAR BUCKET!🇮🇱🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/slU2kTJFWj
— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) February 15, 2026
Following the final, Avdija summed up the experience, “I think the future of the Trailblazers team is bright. We have young and talented guys and more experienced guys as well. Good players in this league. We have good human beings and I think that’s the most important thing in a basketball team. Everyone supports one another. It was an amazing experience. One of the rarest I’ve had.”
Avdija added, “I was excited in the morning, but once I put on the uniform it felt like a regular game. It’s my first time as an All-Star, so I tried to go with the flow of the game. I didn’t want to give everything from the very first second. I took my shots and enjoyed it. That’s the most important thing, to enjoy it. I’m not on this stage every day, it’s a blessing, it’s an honor and it’s a lot of fun.”
FIRST TIME ALL STAR ⭐️
DENI AVDIJA! 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/HvASrlV4uA— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) February 15, 2026
“I think I represented Israel with honor. Just being on this stage is already a great achievement. A lot of people were probably watching and I want to say to the Nation of Israel that I love you. Thank you for the support and the push that helped me reach this game. Thank you to the people of Israel and everyone who watched. I feel like I step onto the court playing with the entire nation. I’ve said that and I mean it. It’s amazing. Even a small country like ours, I can’t thank you enough for the support and the messages. I’m speechless.”
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