Avdija scores 36 points to lead Trail Blazers to a 128-109 win over Nuggets

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Deni Avdija had 36 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 128-109 win over the Denver Nuggets, who were without star center Nikola Jokic for the third straight game.

Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points as the Trail Blazers dominated the second half (74-50) to cruise to their fourth straight victory. Portland remained two games behind Dallas and Phoenix for 10th place in the Western Conference and the final spot in the play-in tournament.

Aaron Gordon scored 23 points for Denver, which lost its second straight and is a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for third place in the West.

Portland’s Donovan Clingan and Anfernee Simons were both late scratches due to illness.

Denver led 59-54 at halftime and held their advantage until early in the third quarter when the Blazers went on a 14-0 run to take control.

Sharpe’s three-point play with 8:18 left in the third gave Portland its first lead at 69-67.

A 3-pointer by Peyton Watson sparked the Nuggets on an 11-2 run to tie it at 78. The teams traded baskets after that run before the Blazers closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 88-82 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets pulled their starters down 118-98 with 4:19 left.

Nuggets: With Jokic nursing an ankle injury, the Nuggets have relied even more on Gordon, who has averaged 29 points in the three games Jokic has missed.

Trail Blazers: They honored their NBA Finals teams from 1990 and 1992. Rick Adelman, the coach of those teams, said he was grateful the Blazers honored those squads when they played against Denver where his son, David, is an assistant coach. “It’s a special night,” Adelman said.

Scoot Henderson’s putback dunk with 6:59 left in the third quarter brought the crowd to its feet, part of a 14-0 Blazers run.

Portland had a 26-10 advantage in second-chance points.

Nuggets: Play at Houston on Sunday night.

Trail Blazers: Host Boston on Sunday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) watches the ball after his shot was blocked by Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) tries to get around Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan looks up after the national anthem was played before an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) is fouled while going to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) tries to block a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton signs a camera lens after an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, talks with Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, second from left, while on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) gets a rebound against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) tries to get around Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)