Deni Avdija Drops 41 as Blazers Reach Playoffs with Win vs. Suns, Fans React to NBA Play-In Game

Welcome to the national spotlight, Deni Avdija.

The first-time All-Star led the Portland Trail Blazers to a thrilling 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Tuesday's Western Conference play-in tournament game in Mortgage Matchup Center to secure a spot in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

He finished with 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds while taking over for extended stretches. He also converted what proved to be the winning and-one in the final seconds.

Portland's reward is the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in that opening round.

Avdija's and-one was the most important play in a head-turning final two minutes that included Jerami Grant drilling a go-ahead three for Portland, Jordan Goodwin scoring in the lane to retake the lead for Phoenix on a brilliant pass from Devin Booker and the Trail Blazers forcing a turnover on the Suns' last possession.

Yet it was Avdija who drew much of the reaction from social media:

Phoenix won two of the three matchups against Portland in the regular season, and its only loss came in February when Booker and Dillion Brooks were sidelined. Given that backdrop and the fact Tuesday's game was at home, the Suns figured to have the advantage.

The Trail Blazers had other ideas.

They jumped out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter with a barrage of three-pointers from Jrue Holiday, Avdija, Grant and Shaedon Sharpe. Avdija in particular was unstoppable with his ability to also drive into the lane and facilitate when Phoenix collapsed on him.

Yet the Suns cut the deficit back down to three by halftime with a four-point play from Jalen Green as part of an incredible performance for the 24-year-old. While Booker was predictably dialed in as a scorer as well, it was Green who poured in 22 points in the first half alone as he did much of his work inside the lane.

He finished with 35 as the team's leading scorer.

The third quarter was essentially a repeat of the first half, as the visitors extended the lead to double digits while Booker was on the bench with foul trouble before Phoenix came storming back to cut the deficit to just one heading into the fourth.

With that momentum on their side, the Suns scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter with Green and Brooks each hitting shots.

It seemed like the Suns were going to shift into cruise control at that point, but they couldn't contain Avdija as the Trail Blazers answered right back to set the stage for that dramatic finish.

Fortunately for Phoenix, it is not eliminated despite the loss.

It will face the winner of the play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. If it can win that one, it will be the No. 8 seed and go against the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.