Deni Avdija had 34 points and 11 assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 122-09 on Friday night.

Deni Avdija scores 34 points as Trail Blazers avenge last month's lopsided loss in New Orleans with a dominant performance at Smoothie King Center.

The New Orleans Pelicans started 2026 the same way they ended the final week and a half of 2025 — with a loss.

The Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards could have trade interest in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to NBA insider Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports.

Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers may be without multiple key players in Friday night's matchup.

Deni Avdija had 34 points and 11 assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 122-09 on Friday night.

There was a stark difference in pace between two prior matchups – New Orleans took 91 shots on Nov. 12, but fired 112 on Dec. 11, while Portland’s tallies

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Love could be a steal for the Trail Blazers if he continues to develop and perform well for Portland. The former North Carolina and Arizona star has earned more playing time as a rookie than the team's first-round pick, Hansen Yang, and has been impactful early in his time with the Trail Blazers.

Avdija averaged 26.8 points, 9.8 assists and 8.5 rebounds, while leading the Blazers to a 3-1 record, to win the award for the first time.

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