Blazers’ Deni Avdija’s ‘complex back injury’ forced him out of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Deni Avdija’s absence from the roster was one of the talking points for the Israeli basketball team after their loss to Poland. Israel’s struggle in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, including their 106-86 loss to Poland, ultimately removed the team from contention.

Addressing the issue, the Portland Trail Blazers’ small forward took to his social media and shared a lengthy post clarifying the real reason for his absence from the playing roster.

“I usually don’t feel the need to explain myself, but this time it’s important to me to say a few words,” Avdija wrote in his post, per HoopsHype. “Anyone who knows me and my way with the Israeli national team knows what this shirt means to me. I came to the team when I was in pain. I came when I wasn’t at 100%.”

While he mentioned his dedication to fulfill his national duties for Israel, Avdija also clarified that it was his complex back injury that kept him away from the FIBA qualifiers. According to him, the Trail Blazers did not give permission to participate in the games, given that his health would have been at risk.

“This time, I wanted to be there just as much. But this summer I dealt with a complex back injury. An injury that those who haven’t gone through it really can’t understand what it demands, and the decision not to participate in this window wasn’t one I made alone. Portland wasn’t willing to take a risk with my health, and in the situation that arose, I simply didn’t have the option to step up and play,” he added.

As for his injury, the NBA All-Star sustained a lower back injury during the Trail Blazers’ 92-77 game against the Phoenix Suns earlier this year in February. While he was initially listed as questionable in the injury report at that time, Avdija could only log about a minute and had to pull out.

He returned from the injury in March, after sitting out for six games while nursing the injury. He last played against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs last season and recorded 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

With the 2026-27 NBA season kicking off in October, Portland fans would be rooting for the Israeli forward to log longer stretches for the team.

The post Blazers’ Deni Avdija’s ‘complex back injury’ forced him out of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers appeared first on ClutchPoints.