NBA Notes: Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija, Sixers, Joel Embiid, Timberwolves

Trail Blazers

Portland is holding its breath after Deni Avdija exited Sunday’s game late in the fourth quarter with a lower-back injury.

Avdija went down with 1:56 remaining while coming down from a rebound. He immediately grabbed the left side of his back, rolled the ball to Caleb Love and signaled to the bench before hobbling to the locker room.

According to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, Avdija was visibly uncomfortable afterward and required extended postgame treatment. He left the training area with his midsection wrapped and had difficulty bending or sitting.

“I’m not really concerned,” Avdija said. “I just felt my back give up on me and I couldn’t straighten up. I’m a tough guy. I’m going to be all right.”

Any missed time would be significant for Portland, which entered Sunday riding a five-game winning streak before falling to the Knicks. The Blazers sit at 19-21 and hold a firm grip on a play-in spot. Avdija has played all 40 games and has been central to that surge, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

Interim coach Tiago Splitter struck a more cautious tone.

“It’s a tough one after what he’s doing for us,” Splitter said. “I don’t want to sound the alarm too early, but I’m definitely worried.”

The night did bring one positive development, as Jrue Holiday returned after missing 27 games with a right calf strain. Holiday logged 16 minutes off the bench, finishing with eight points, two rebounds and four assists.

“I don’t have too many years left,” Holiday said. “I’d love to play as many games and minutes as I can.”

76ers

Joel Embiid continues to present an unusual All-Star case.

Embiid has appeared in just 19 of Philadelphia’s 37 games and was sidelined again Sunday due to left knee injury management and left groin soreness.

Still, his production remains elite, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. His 23.5 points per game lead all Eastern Conference centers.

After Friday’s game, Embiid made his pitch.

“Am I going to make it? I think I should,” he said. “I think I got pretty good stats. Maybe you guys should put the word out that Joel Embiid is back.”

Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert will be suspended one game after reaching the league’s threshold for flagrant fouls, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

Gobert was assessed a flagrant for a reckless closeout on Victor Wembanyama during Sunday’s game against the Spurs. Wembanyama landed on Gobert’s foot but appeared unharmed after briefly checking his ankle.

The call gave Gobert six total flagrant foul points this season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. He is expected to serve it Tuesday against the Bucks.

Any additional flagrant fouls assessed to Gobert during the regular season will result in a two-game suspension. The counter resets once the postseason begins.