Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija tallied his fourth consecutive 20-plus point game by scoring 43 points (career-high), 15 rebounds, six assists, made six threes (6/10), and was a +17 in the Wizards’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Wizards ( lost their eighth consecutive game, however, the leap Avdija has made is remarkable.
Washington Wizards Player Tallies Four Consecutive 20+ Point Games
Avdija became the first Wizards player to score 40-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a game since former Wizards guard Russell Westbrook did on May 1st, 2021. Westbrook tallied 42 points and ten rebounds in a game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Wizards forward has averaged 23 points, nine rebounds, and shoots 62.1 percent from the field in the month of February, respectively. Avdija’s confidence and improvement in play have taken his game to new heights.
Deni Avdjia Continues to Impress
DENI. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/zrvIv9aiAk
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2024
In the clip, Deni Avdija was camped beyond the three-point line. The Wizards forward received a bullet pass from Tyus Jones and quickly beat Zion Williamson off of his triple-threat stance and finished the drive with a ferocious dunk. Avdija averages 3.2 drive attempts per game and shoots 54.3 percent in that aspect.
Avdija’s game has been effective inside and outside the paint for Washington this season. Last February, Avdija shot only 41.7 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three-point range, respectively. The leap compared to this time last season has made Avdija’s stock rise immensely.
The former 2020 first-round pick has also been contributing heavily in the rebounding department (recorded double-digit rebounds in three of the last four games), since the loss of leading rebounder Daniel Gafford via a trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Avdija is the second-leading rebounder for Washington (6.6 per game) behind Marvin Bagley III.
Still lots of growth left for Deni. 💪
Media Availability: https://t.co/x0mU5016qZ#ForTheDistrict | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/XFltqdLG1m
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2024
“I’m still young and that’s why I’m so excited it’s like I still have a lot to grow on and a lot to work on, I’m not stopping here”, said Avdija during a post-game interview after the Pelicans game. The Washington forward turned 23 years of age this past January. After three and a half seasons, Avdija is blossoming into a player that perhaps the Wizards can position into a cornerstone piece.
Jordan Poole Joins 5,000 Point Club
Wizards guard Jordan Poole has had a disappointing season thus far, but he joined an exclusive club on Wednesday night. Poole joins Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and Darius Garland as the only players from the 2019 draft to reach that mark. Poole contributed 15 points and made 5/10 threes against New Orleans.
Jordan’s 5,000th career point🔥
pic.twitter.com/3hinpA7Jc4— PooleMuse (@PooleMuse) February 15, 2024
The Last Word
Washington and interim head coach Brian Keefe will head into the all-star break to regroup and hope to end their losing streak against the Denver Nuggets next Thursday. Even though the Wizards have yet to eclipse double-digit wins, the core of Avdija, Corey Kispert, and Bilal Coulibaly are bright spots in the Wizards’ future.
