The Portland Trail Blazers' first preseason game was played Friday night, but they were without one of their new acquisitions.
The team acquired Deni Avdija in a trade after having the best season of his young career, but he was placed on the exempt list for “personal” reasons.
What is the reason? The Israeli native was observing Yom Kippur.
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Portland Trail Blazers No. 8 Deni Avdija poses for a portrait during Blazers Media Day at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 30, 2024 in Portland, Oregon . (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, Avdija announced on his Instagram Story that he would miss the game, a decision that made sense.
“Tomorrow, the night before Yom Kippurthe first preseason game of the season will be held. “When I was contacted by management, I knew right away that I would not be participating,” the 23-year-old wrote. jerusalem post. “We feel the best way to start the season is to honor our Jewish traditions and stand in solidarity with our fellow Jews in Israel and around the world.
“Basketball has been the center of my life and always been my top priority ever since I can remember. But after this past year, I realized there are more important things than basketball. This is Israel Chai. With all my wishes, everyone, please make a good inscription and seal. ”
Deni Avdija of Israel during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Group D match between Israel and Finland at O2 Arena Prague in Prague, Czech Republic on September 2, 2022. (Pedja Milosavljevic/DeFodi Image, Getty Images)
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Vacation starts on Friday and ends on Saturday. The match took place four days after the first anniversary of the Palestinian attack on Avdija's home country.
Avdija has played professionally in Israel since 2017 and joined the NBA in 2020. There he won the Israeli League three times and was named MVP. He has also been a member of Israel's senior national team since 2019.
Portland Trail Blazers No. 8 Deni Avdija poses for a portrait during Blazers Media Day at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 30, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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He had career-high numbers last season with the Washington Wizards, who drafted him ninth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Avdej had 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, shooting 50.4% from the field, all career highs.
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