For Israeli basketball fans, this was more than just another NBA game – it was a moment that felt almost surreal. In the middle of a regular-season clash at the Barclays Center, something historic unfolded: three Israelis – Deni Avdija, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf – shared the same NBA court for the very first time.
And while the night ultimately belonged to Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers, who cruised to a 114-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, the result almost felt secondary to the bigger picture.
Thousands of Israeli and Jewish fans packed the arena in Brooklyn, turning it into a sea of blue and white. Chants, flags, and a sense of pride echoed throughout the building – it wasn’t just a game, it was a celebration of how far Israeli basketball has come.
At the center of it all was Avdija, already an established NBA name and now an All-Star in the midst of a breakout season. Even on a night where his shooting touch wasn’t at its sharpest, he still led Portland with 18 points, adding six rebounds and five assists in a performance that once again showed his all-around impact. For Israeli fans, he looked every bit like the standard-bearer – the player who has already made it.
After the game, Avdija made sure to acknowledge the atmosphere created by the traveling support, writing:
“I love you so much… you filled the arena today and made me feel at home.”
But across from him stood the future.
Ben Saraf, just 19 years old, delivered the best performance of his young NBA career. Coming off the bench, he poured in 15 points along with four assists and four steals, doing most of his damage in the second half. Fearless, energetic, and increasingly confident, Saraf didn’t just belong on the floor – he stood out on it, recording his fourth straight game in double figures.
Danny Wolf, meanwhile, continued to show his versatility with eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. His stat line reflected the kind of modern big man Israeli basketball has been producing – skilled, intelligent, and capable of contributing across the board.
Three Israelis on the court at once
For a few stretches, all three Israelis shared the court together. It was a rare sight – three players from a country as small as Israel competing at the highest level of the sport at the same time. There were even a handful of direct matchups: Saraf picked Avdija’s pocket on one possession, though it didn’t result in points, while both players also missed shot attempts against one another. Even without highlight-reel finishes, the symbolism was undeniable.
The game itself was largely decided early. Portland came out firing, opening with a 10–0 run and building a massive lead that ballooned to over 30 points at one stage. By halftime, the Trail Blazers were firmly in control, leading 65-41 behind a balanced scoring effort.
Brooklyn, short-handed and struggling, tried to mount a late push. Saraf and Wolf helped spark a mini-comeback, cutting the deficit to 91-76 in the fourth quarter, but Portland never truly let the game slip. The gap proved too large, and the Blazers closed it out comfortably.
Still, from an Israeli perspective, the night told a much richer story than the final score.
It was about the full journey of Israeli basketball being displayed in one game: Avdija, the finished product and rising NBA star; Saraf and Wolf, the next generation, still learning, still growing, but already proving they belong.
After the final buzzer, the moment turned even more meaningful. Avdija and Saraf embraced, exchanged jerseys, and posed for photos – images that quickly spread across social media and captured the essence of the night.
For one night in Brooklyn, the NBA didn’t just feel global – it felt Israeli.
And perhaps the most exciting part? This story is only just beginning.