Avdija Trades Insults With Brooks in Blazers Win
Portland's 132-119 win over Phoenix turned heated after Deni Avdija directed a profane remark at Dillon Brooks at the free throw line.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 132-119 on Wednesday night, improving to 6-1 on the season. The game was marred by a confrontation in which Deni Avdija directed an expletive-filled remark at Dillon Brooks, and referees and coaches intervened to separate Brooks and Damian Lillard.
Why it matters
The exchange came just days after Brooks clashed with Draymond Green in Phoenix's 116-113 loss, adding to a pattern of tension surrounding Brooks. For Portland fans, the win extended a three-game winning streak early in the season.
Avdija shot 7-for-16 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep in the 132-119 win, while Brooks added 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. Portland's 6-1 start contrasts with Phoenix's 1-6 record, and whether either incident draws a league penalty remains unclear.
The players
Deni Avdija
Israeli forward for the Portland Trail Blazers who finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the win, and is known for his multi-positional versatility.
Dillon Brooks
Canadian guard-forward for the Phoenix Suns known for his defensive intensity and frequent on-court confrontations with opponents.
Damian Lillard
Veteran Trail Blazers point guard and seven-time All-Star who was involved in the heated exchange with Brooks.
The details
Avdija directed an expletive-filled remark at Brooks at the free throw line, and a video clip of the exchange was shared on X by Griffin S. DeMarrais of azfamily 3TV CBS 5. During the same game, Brooks was called for stepping out of bounds while pump-faking against Lillard and extended his foot toward Lillard's Achilles area on a three-point attempt.
Timeline
Monday: Brooks confronted Draymond Green in Phoenix's 116-113 loss.
Wednesday night: Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 132-119, and Avdija made the remark.
Season Trajectory
The win moved Portland to 6-1 and kept it among the early contenders in the Western Conference, while Phoenix's slide to 1-6 raises questions about its early-season direction. Brooks' back-to-back confrontations with opposing players could draw attention from officials as the season progresses.
Fantasy managers who roster Avdija should note his 12-rebound, seven-assist line, which offers multi-category value beyond his scoring. Brooks' 15-point, six-rebound night also matters for those tracking Phoenix's rotation as it looks to climb out of its 1-6 start.
The takeaway
The Avdija-Brooks exchange shows how quickly a routine win can turn into a flashpoint, and fans following either team should watch how the league handles the repeated confrontations around Brooks.
Further reading
For more on the team, see Basketball coverage across the Portland market.
