Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan exited Portland’s matchup with Brooklyn early on Tuesday night due to an ailment.
Now, Portland has announced (Twitter link) that the 7’2″ big man has incurred a mild sprained left ankle. The two-time NCAA champ will have the injury reassessed in a week, the Trail Blazers add.
During his first season for the 13-26 Trail Blazers, the 20-year-old has been averaging 5.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 0.6 assists and 0.5 steals in his 31 healthy bouts.
Another Portland reserve center, one-time All-Defensive Teamer Robert Williams III, missed Tuesday’s clash with an illness. Depending on Williams’ availability, Portland will have to lean on starter Deandre Ayton and perhaps fourth-string center Duop Reath for its next few games.
During his debut pro season, Clingan has already impressed defensively, although he’s fairly raw on the other end. With veterans Ayton and Williams both looking like potential trade fodder at some point, a healthy Clingan could get more minutes and touches soon enough. The young big man could perhaps see that extended run even down the 2024/25 season’s home stretch.
The Trail Blazers selected Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in this past summer’s draft, following a run as Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American during his second and final college season with the Huskies.