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Avdija, Blazers Top Nets in First NBA Game Featuring Three Israeli Players

The matchup highlighted the NBA’s growing Israeli presence, with Brooklyn’s rookies measuring themselves against an All-Star benchmark.

Overview

  • Deni Avdija led Portland to a 114-95 win at Barclays Center with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists in the first NBA game to feature three Israeli players.
  • Brooklyn rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf started for the Nets, with Saraf posting 15 points and four steals after being cleared from a calf injury and Wolf adding eight points and two blocks.
  • Nets head coach Jordi Fernández called the occasion special, pointing to the significance of representation and the progress of Avdija, Saraf and Wolf.
  • Brooklyn drafted Saraf and Wolf back-to-back at Nos. 26 and 27 in 2025 on a night the franchise became the first team to make five first-round selections.
  • Michael Porter Jr. missed a third straight game with a sprained right ankle, resumed on-court work, and was slated for his first workout toward a return, while Day’Ron Sharpe and Egor Dëmin remain out for the season.