Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija was nominated for Western Conference Player of the Year Week for the final week of the regular season, the NBA announced.
Avdija was in top form during Portland’s four games during the week. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 28.8 points, seven assists and five rebounds per game over the stretch while shooting 52.7% from the floor and 85.3% from the free throw line.
Portland went 2-2 during the week, but Avdija led the Blazers to wins in their final two matchups
against the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings to clinch the No. 8 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament. In Portland’s biggest game of the season so far against the Clippers on Friday, Avdija produced a statement performance with 35 points on 11-19 shooting and five assists, resulting in a resounding 116-97 victory.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 24 points, 9.7 assists and six rebounds. He helped the Lakers go 3-1 over the stretch. In the Eastern Conference, Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram took home the honor after averaging 25.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during the week. He also helped the Raptors go 3-1 in their final games.
Alongside Avdija, other Western Conference nominees included Houston Rockets teammates Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. Eastern Conference nominees featured Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren.
Avdija and the Blazers will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on the Phoenix Suns on the road in the Play-In. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific on Amazon Prime.
