Tiktekno, summary of today's events in sports, 22.2/Sport1
Precisely in the game in which Danny Avdia fell to the ground and returned to reality, he received encouraging and positive news for the 27 games remaining for Washington in the last third of the season.
Avdia finished the 110:130 loss to Denver with just 5 points on 2-for-11 from the field, and after four great games including a career-high 43 points, struggled a lot.
This is not the first time he has had a hard time against Denver, the team against which he recorded his weakest game in 2024 with 4 points and 1 of 5 from the field in the previous meeting.
Overall, Avdia has scored in double figures only twice against Denver during his career, and something about the matchup with the Nuggets' tough, athletic forwards seems to make it more difficult for him than other opponents.
One way or another, Washington is convinced that this is a one-off night in terms of Avdia, who like the rest of the team (with the exception of Kyle Kuzma who scored 32 points) suffered from a weak day.
"It just wasn't his night. There's no reason to panic, he just had one weak game after a series of great games," analyzed on the Locked On Wizards podcast.
"We have 27 games left, let's continue to give him and Bilal Koulibaly the chance and see how they develop. I expect to see them recover and get more involved. This is their time."
Struggles against Denver.
Avdia/GettyImages, Patrick Smith
At the same time, along with the weak evening, Avdia also received optimistic news as mentioned.
Coach Brian Keefe decided for the next games to drop Jordan Paul to the bench and start with Bilal Koulibaly in his place, which should allow Abdia to serve as a ball carrier and a decision maker in the attack more often.
"Abadiah has flourished with the ball in his hands in recent times, and the change in the five will allow him to take more responsibility in regards to moving the ball," they wrote in the "Washington Post".
This is an act in the last step of the perceptual revolution regarding Abdia, from a defensive specialist to a leading offensive player.
As a five player in the past, Avdia's area of responsibility was mainly defensive, as he teamed every night to the star of the opponent.
Now one of the goals of Keef's move is that the role will change hands and finally go to Bilal Coulibaly, the promising rookie, while Abdia will enjoy a different status.
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Jokic/Reuters
But with all due respect to Washington, it was first and foremost the night of Nikola Jokic, who finished with a perfect triple-double of 21 points on 10-of-10 from the field, along with 19 rebounds and 15 rebounds.
Jokic became the third player ever after LeBron James and Russell Westbrook to record a triple-double against all 29 opposing teams in the NBA, reaching 16 triple-doubles this season (second in the league behind Domantas Sabonis).
"After I finish my career and retire, what will remain is the legacy. Landmarks like this, that I can look back on, are a pretty cool thing," said Jokic, who admitted that he went into the game knowing that Washington was the last team he had left to accomplish the feat.
"What's special about Nikola is the fact that he can force his game on the opponent in so many aspects," Denver coach Mike Malone praised him.
"We've seen great scorers in the past, but Nikola is able to score, take rebounds, and be a playmaker. He can control under the baskets, and outside the arc. For me, he is the dictionary definition of a great player."
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Danny Avdia
Washington Wizards