Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija Exits Game with Back Injury

Avdija was questionable heading into Sunday's matchup against the Suns due to a back issue.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 1:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija was forced to exit Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns after just 11 minutes of play due to a back injury. Avdija had been listed as questionable for the game due to the ongoing back issue and was now heading to the locker room after appearing to tweak his back on the court.

Why it matters

Avdija's health is crucial for the Trail Blazers, who are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. His potential absence could be a significant blow to the team's lineup and rotation.

The details

Avdija was replaced by teammate Scoot Henderson after just 11 minutes of play in the first quarter. The 24-year-old forward had been dealing with a back issue leading up to the game and was considered questionable to play. After appearing to aggravate the injury on the court, Avdija is now headed to the locker room for further evaluation.

  • Avdija exited the game with 11:01 left in the first quarter on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Deni Avdija

A 24-year-old forward for the Portland Trail Blazers who was forced to exit Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns due to a back injury.

Scoot Henderson

A teammate of Deni Avdija who replaced him in the lineup after Avdija's injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Deni Avdija was questionable coming in due to his back. He is now moving like someone who tweaked his back and is going back to the locker room.”

— Kellan Olson

What’s next

The Trail Blazers will provide an update on Avdija's status after further evaluation in the locker room.

The takeaway

Avdija's injury is a concerning development for the Trail Blazers, who will need to monitor his status closely and determine the severity of the back issue in order to plan for his potential absence moving forward.