6 days Ago By Aaron Fentress
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan returned Friday night after missing seven games with a knee sprain. A minutes restriction prevented him from making a significant impact during the team’s 118-116 loss at the Moda Center. Still, Clingan said he had fun being back playing with the guys even though he didn’t feel 100%.
“I felt like I did well,” he said. “I got to get my movement back.” The 7-foot-2 Clingan played 15 minutes off the bench.
Starting center Deandre Ayton (illness) and backup Robert Williams III (concussion protocol) were out. Forward Jabari Walker started at center, but forward Jerami Grant spent a lot of time defending Spurs 7-4 center Victor Wembanyama. Clingan’s night began by checking in at the scorer’s table with 4:38 remaining in the first quarter to replace starter Jabari Walker.
The fans' cheers let Clingan know how much he was missed during a stretch that saw the Blazers go 1-6. “It was nice to have Rip City behind me,” Clingan said. “I know they got my back and I appreciate that.
I’m just trying to go out there and do everything I can for them.” Statistically, Clingan had an uneven night. He scored six points with seven rebounds, not bad for 15 minutes.
But he also committed three turnovers with zero blocked shots and picked up four personal fouls. “I thought he was good,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “A little bit rusty down there.
Just having him back out there, obviously, you see the impact that he has at the rim.” With the game on the line, Grant defended Wembanyama inside. The second-year star forced the 6-8 Grant into a foul that led to the game-winning free throws with 2.
4 seconds remaining. The competitive Clingan would have liked to have been out there. But he recognized the minutes restriction he was on and that maybe Grant’s athleticism gave him a better shot.
“I was understanding,” Clingan said. “I understand every aspect of it. I wasn’t annoyed.
I’m just being patient.” -- Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
