Portland forward Deni Avdija might have sat out his third consecutive game, but that didn’t stop LeBron James from commending him as an All-Star talent. Despite missing time, Avdija remains a talking point for James, whose own performance included a game-high 29 points and underscored the Lakers’ defensive vulnerabilities against Portland’s relentless effort.

The Portland Trail Blazers appear caught between caution and optimism as Jerami Grant faces a bleak outlook while Deni Avdija continues to impress. Analysts predict a breakout year even amid these starkly contrasting updates.