Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Ends rookie year with double-double
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Clingan ended with 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 25 minutes during Sunday's 109-81 victory over the Lakers.
Clingan was a highly-touted prospect coming out of college. While the big man was overmatched on offense at times, he did a good job as a rim protector while showing a clear improvement at the other end of the court compared to where it was when the season started. Clingan finishes his first year in The Association with averages of 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 assists across 67 regular-season contests, including 37 starts. Clingan figures to be a long-term building block of the franchise, but the Trail Blazers will likely make some moves in the offseason to give him a more significant role ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Excels with 14/15 double-double
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Clingan racked up 14 points (7-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist and one block across 27 minutes during Friday's 103-86 loss to the Warriors.
Clingan's excellent play has rendered Deandre Ayton unnecessary, and even if he returns fully healthy next season, he could be in another uniform. The UConn product has paid off after a first-round draft selection last season, and although his free-throw shooting needs work, Clingan's rebound average since the All-Star break is an impressive 9.5 boards per game.
Clingan chipped in 10 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 27 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 win over San Antonio.
Clingan posted a well-rounded line in the win, and his fantasy arrow continues to point in the right direction. Over his last seven games, his upside has been undeniable. He's produced fifth-round value in nine-category formats in that span with averages of 8.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks and 0.7 three-pointers in 28.4 minutes per contest.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Huge night on glass
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Clingan closed Friday's 118-113 loss to the Bulls with seven points (3-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 18 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 31 minutes.
The 18 boards were Clingan's best performance on the glass since he pulled down a career-high 20 on Feb. 12 against the Nuggets. The rookie center is still looking to provide consistent offense. Still, Clingan is making an impact in the paint, recording double-digit rebounds in eight of his last 11 appearances while averaging 7.2 points, 10.4 boards, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Swats three shots Thursday
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Clingan amassed eight points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal over 30 minutes during Thursday's 112-103 win over Toronto.
Clingan's scoring wasn't needed much Thursday as Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija and Dalano Banton combined for 95 of Portland's 112 points. However, Clingan was active on the boards (including five offensive rebounds), and he finished second in that category behind Avdija. Since permanently entering the Trail Blazers' starting lineup Feb. 12, Clingan has averaged 7.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks over 25.0 minutes per game.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Good to go Sunday
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Clingan (illness) is available for Sunday's game against the Celtics, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Clingan will return to action Sunday after missing Friday's upset win over the Nuggets due to an illness. With Deandre Ayton (calf) and Robert Williams (knee) sidelined, Clingan has started his last 16 games, averaging 8.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.8 assists and 0.5 steals in 24.3 minutes per game.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Ruled out vs. Denver
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Clingan (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Nuggets, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.
Clingan has started the last 16 games for the Trail Blazers, so they'll have to pivot Friday to replace him in the starting lineup. Portland will likely turn to Duop Reath to help shoulder the load, as the team is dealing with several injuries in the frontcourt. Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray could see more time on the floor against the Nuggets.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Late addition to injury report
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Clingan is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Nuggets due to an illness.
Clingan is in danger of missing his first contest since Feb. 4 due to an illness. Due to Deandre Ayton (calf) already being ruled out, If Clingan is unable to suit up, Duop Reath could receive increased playing time.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Grabs 11 rebounds in victory
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Clingan recorded seven points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 115-99 victory over the Grizzlies.
Clingan had a trip down memory lane during Wednesday's win as he squared off against Zach Edey. The two centers battled for glory in last year's NCAA Championship, and they squared off once again as starters in the NBA. Clingan won the battle with relative ease, pulling down eight more rebounds than his rival. Deandre Ayton's (calf) return is unclear, which means Clingan's role with the first unit is secure in the short term.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Steps up for Portland
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Clingan accumulated 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks across 32 minutes during Monday's 130-120 loss to the Warriors.
This was the line Clingan's patient fantasy managers have been waiting for -- in his previous 10 games, the center averaged just 6.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks in 21.1 minutes. Monday's game illustrates just how much upside Clingan can offer, and it could be a sign of things to come to close out the season, especially if Deandre Ayton (calf) remains out.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Held to three points
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Clingan racked up three points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-3 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 22 minutes during Sunday's 119-112 loss to the Pistons.
Clingan remains a work in progress on the offensive end, but his production on the glass and his ability to alter shots on defense continues to keep his fantasy value afloat in deeper formats. In his last 10 games, Clingan has produced 6.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks in 21.1 minutes.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Struggles in loss Wednesday
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Clingan racked up two points (1-3 FG), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 128-118 loss to Boston.
Clingan failed to have an impact, tallying just two points during his time on the floor. Despite starting, Clingan's production has been far from consistent. His size typically results in solid rebound and block numbers; however, his lack of mobility and offensive versatility could be an issue moving forward. Although he should remain the starter until Deandre Ayton returns from a calf injury, Clingan's upside is capped due to the aforementioned shortcomings.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Modest totals in defeat
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Clingan totaled six points (3-4 FG), six rebounds, three blocks and one steal across 17 minutes during Thursday's 110-102 loss to the Lakers.
Deandre Ayton's (calf) injury will keep the center out for at least a month, so the starting job will be Clingan's to lose. Robert Williams also waits in the wings, but the Trail Blazers should probably prioritize Clingan's development. This may be his time to come into his own as a full-time starter. The rookie center will still be a risky fantasy call in the short term, but it's worthwhile to monitor his progress as he settles into a larger role.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Three swats in limited run Saturday
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Clingan chipped in zero points (0-1 FG), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal over six minutes during Saturday's 114-98 loss to Minnesota.
Clingan made an immediate impact on the defensive end in his limited playing time, recording a game-high mark in swats. The rookie big man has seen a decline in minutes of late, averaging 1.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in only 10.4 minutes per game over his last five outings.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Unlikely to play Tuesday
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Coach Chauncey Billups said Robert Williams is expected to take over Clingan's minutes during Tuesday's game versus the Pacers, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Clingan hasn't picked up an injury but is expected to cede his minutes to Williams, who was sidelined for Portland's previous four contests. Williams has played in only 17 of the Trail Blazers' 50 contests this season, so Clingan should operate as the team's backup center to Deandre Ayton when Williams is forced to sit out.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Available and starting Friday
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Clingan (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Hornets, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
With Deandre Ayton (knee) and Robert Williams (hand) both sidelined Friday, Clingan will also jump right into Portland's starting lineup down low following a five-game absence with an ankle injury. The rookie big man makes sense as a strong plug-and-play fantasy option against Charlotte, as Clingan has averaged 10.0 rebounds, 8.0 points, 2.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 22.9 minutes across eight games as a starter this year.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Out at least one week
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The Trail Blazers announced Wednesday that Clingan has been diagnosed with a mild left ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in one week.
Clingan tweaked his ankle late in Tuesday's 132-114 loss to Brooklyn and will be out for at least the next four games -- and quite likely longer -- before the Trail Blazers provide another update on his status. While Clingan is sidelined, the Trail Blazers could look to Robert Williams (illness) to step in as the top backup to starting center Deandre Ayton.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Tweaks ankle late Tuesday
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Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said that Clingan tweaked his ankle late in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 132-114 loss to the Nets, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Though starting center Deandre Ayton (calf) returned to action, he had a roughly even split of the playing time at center with Clingan, who logged 22 minutes to Ayton's 24. The blowout nature of the contest had a lot to do with it, but Clingan also outperformed Ayton, finishing with four points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT), 14 boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Despite the strong showing off the bench, Clingan's ankle is now a concern heading into Thursday's game against the Clippers. Billups acknowledged that the Trail Blazers aren't yet certain on the severity of Clingan's injury, so the rookie could be headed for further testing.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Returns to action
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Clingan (head) checked back into Tuesday's game versus the Nets with 10:56 remaining in the second quarter.
Clingan left Tuesday's contest in the first quarter but returned shortly after with a cut on his face, per Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland. Regardless, the rookie big man should continue to operate as Portland's backup center to Deandre Ayton.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Heads to locker room Tuesday
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Clingan went back to the locker room after sustaining an apparent head injury in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against the Nets, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Clingan took a knee to the head and was helped off the court by the training staff with a towel over his face. The rookie big man will likely undergo further testing to rule out a concussion, and he should be considered questionable to return until the team provides an update on his status.
