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)

SYDNEY (AP) — Belinda Bencic rallied from a set down to stun No. 2-ranked Iga Świątek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to give Switzerland a surprise lead over Poland in the final of the United Cup on Sunday.

Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of this season, played Hubert Hurkacz later Sunday, with the Polish player needing to win to keep his country in the tie.

Bencic, who had won all four of her singles and four mixed doubles matches this week, came into her match against Świątek having lost her last five matches against the former No. 1-ranked player.

It looked as if that trend was going to continue as Świątek started strongly and claimed the opening set 6-3 at Ken Rosewall Arena.

But the No.11-ranked Bencic shifted the momentum by winning nine consecutive points to open the second, evening the match in a swift 33-minute set.

The decisive third set hinged on a crucial break at 2-1, where Bencic capitalized on a powerful forehand to seize control. While Swiatek fought to save two match points with consecutive aces, her effort was hampered by an uncharacteristic 36 unforced errors, compared to just 10 from Bencic.

Bencic sealed the win with a sublime backhand winner into the open court on her third match point.

“To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point,” Bencic said. “I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I was ‘OK, what do I have to do.’ I think I just tried to keep the level and just wait for some chances.”

“I think the difference today was I played very freely, I was really enjoying myself out on the court and I was just really going for it.”

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

Iga Swiatek of Poland hits a forehand to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, right, and Iga Swiatek of Poland meet at the net after Bencic won their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Iga Swiatek of Poland Belinda reacts after missing a shot to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates defeting Iga Swiatek of Poland in their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, left, celebrates with teammate Stan Wawrinka after defeting Iga Swiatek of Poland in their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)