Deni Avdija had insult added to injury during the Portland Trail Blazers’ 120-108 Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.
The Blazers star got an elbow to the teeth from Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox late in the second quarter, knocking out part of his incisor. Fox was called for an offensive foul for the elbow, which left Avdija with a hockey smile.
The damage was apparent on the Prime Video stream.
Fox was so incensed about the call against him that he earned a technical foul. However, the Spurs then challenged the foul call and had it overturned, making the play a blocking foul on Avdija. So Avdija got called for a foul and lost part of a tooth on the same play. Which you don’t see happen often.
Avdija at least got to make the free throw off Fox’s tech, which was still valid.
San Antonio dominated the second half, led by Stephon Castle’s 33 points and Dylan Harper’s 27 off the bench.
The Spurs now lead the series 2-1, with everything still up in the air with Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama out with a concussion.
The Blazers reached the playoffs partially thanks to a breakout season from Avdija, who led the team in scoring while posting career highs nearly across the board. But now his smile is going to need some work.