The Washington Wizards exemplified how quickly the pendulum can swing in the NBA from positive vibes to unfathomable frustration. On Monday, the team won in San Antonio for the first time since 1999 marking a season-high 6-game winning streak, which at the time was the longest active streak in the NBA. After their road trip was cut short with the Detroit Pistons stuck in Dallas with winter weather, Washington did the unthinkable by blowing a 20-point lead at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday followed by blowing a 23-point lead at the Brooklyn Nets without Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving on Saturday. The Wizards became the first team over the last 25 seasons to lose when leading by 20+ points on consecutive days.
Over the last week, Deni Avdija dealt with his own highs and lows as well. Against the Spurs, Avdija could practically do no wrong with a career-high 25 points on efficient 10-for-12 shooting including making both of his 3-point attempts to go along with nine rebounds. Avdija’s most recent nickname that seems to have stuck with teammates is Turbo given by Monte Morris after 1-on-1 fun after practice because Avdija wants to speed by you and shoot like in the video game NBA 2K. It is also fitting given Avdija’s emphasis to push the pace in transition either off of a defensive rebound or turnover to get Washington easier points.
Deni Avdija career-high turbo mood 🏎️💨 pic.twitter.com/Xs9NJa6sgX
— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) January 31, 2023
Bradley Beal enjoying Deni Avdija’s career-high 25 points hitting the griddy behind his post-game interview
Deni told him to hit the John Wall 😂 pic.twitter.com/S9EPrHmt7P
— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) January 31, 2023
Following the high of a career-best scoring performance, Avdija had his worst shooting performance from the field in his career, 0-for-8 against Portland. But credit to the third-year forward who rebounded for a near career night less than 24 hours later in his favorite city of New York against the Nets. Avdija scored 23 points, second most in his career, on 6-for-14 shooting including a career-high 12 free throw attempts as well as tying his season-high in 3-pointers made (4) and career-high steals (4). Despite the strong play, Avdija was kicking himself for not coming up with an offensive rebound at the end of the game following a Monte Morris missed free throw to potentially get Washington another chance at tying the game despite the massive lead lost earlier.
“Just being aggressive. Last game, 0-for-8, got to bounce back and have a short memory,” Avdija explained his redemption to the Sports Rabbi on the road in Brooklyn post-game. “That’s where I feel like I’m getting more mature and being better at really bouncing back. Playing the right way, helping my teammates, finding them, playing defense, and let the game flow come to me.”
Deni Avdija took this loss to the Nets hard because he nearly came up with the offensive rebound to give the Wizards another chance to tie late
You can hear the disappointment in his voice post-game: “I’m more frustrated [than Portland]. … For me, it hurts.” pic.twitter.com/oUpi9xinFO
— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) February 5, 2023
The Wizards face the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets at home in the final two games before the NBA’s trade deadline on February 9. Washington will presumably try to move Will Barton who has fallen out of the rotation and potentially add talent in their futile attempt at a playoff run that would cost them their lottery protected 2023 first-round draft pick. With 30 games still to play this season, Avdija’s trajectory continues to ascend as he believes there is more to his game to unleash.
🇮🇱Deni Avdija when asked if we are seeing the Deni we saw play for Maccabi & the Israel NT:
“NOT YET”
“HE WILL BE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER”🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/mlpLs9Xcoj
— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) February 5, 2023
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