Deni Avdija made a spectacular comeback from his back injury, scoring 26 points and contributing eight assists and eight rebounds, which played a pivotal role in the Portland Trail Blazers' victory over the Sacramento Kings with a score of 117-110 on Sunday night.
In Sacramento, California, Avdija's return was highly anticipated, especially after he missed three games due to a lower back strain sustained during a matchup against the New York Knicks the previous week. His performance was impressive as he showcased his skills, shooting 10 out of 18 from the field in just 31 minutes of play, and aiding the Trail Blazers in achieving their ninth win out of 12 games.
Not to be overshadowed, Shaedon Sharpe also matched Avdija's scoring tally with another 26 points, while Donovan Clingan made significant contributions with 21 points and a remarkable 17 rebounds. Additionally, Toumani Camara added 17 points to the team's effort, helping the Blazers secure their third straight victory against the Kings this season.
With this win, the Trail Blazers have remarkably turned their season around, winning 12 of their last 15 games and reaching an even record of 22-22 for the first time since they stood at 6-6 on November 11.
On the opposing side, Malik Monk led the Kings with 23 points, with Russell Westbrook contributing 20 points and seven assists. However, Sacramento's star player, Domantas Sabonis, struggled, managing only eight points and committing six turnovers in his second game back after missing 27 due to a knee injury.
The Kings had a strong start to their homestand, winning the first four games, but now find themselves with a disappointing record of 12-31.
The Trail Blazers initially led by 14 points but faced pressure when the Kings narrowed the gap to 95-86 early in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Clingan stepped up in the final moments, scoring seven crucial points to secure the win.
In this game, the Trail Blazers were playing the second half of a back-to-back and were without key players Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, and Robert Williams III due to injury management.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers are set to host the Miami Heat on Thursday night, while the Kings will face the same team at home on Tuesday night.
