Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan has responded well to his increased responsibility following injuries to Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams.
Nothing defines that more than him playing 65 minutes and 43 seconds over the team’s last two games.
“Just been in the gym, been in the weight room, just getting my conditioning right,” Clingan said. “And getting to a point where I can go out there and play 34 minutes.”
He logged 33 minutes and 50 seconds during Wednesday night’s overtime loss to the New York Knicks. On Monday, he played 31 minutes and 53 seconds in a loss at Golden State.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is likely going to need that type of on-court staying power from Clingan the remainder of the season.
Ayton has missed 13 games with a calf injury. His return this season is in doubt. Williams missed 10 games with knee tendinitis before returning against the Knicks. He did not play in that game and is questionable for Sunday’s 3 p.m. game at home against the Toronto Raptors.
A sign that Clingan could handle the continued workload was how he handled himself against the Knicks while playing with foul trouble.
He picked up his fifth with 9:18 remaining in the game. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said he contemplated taking the rookie out of the game.
“I was in our timeouts, saying, ‘Maybe I should give Donovan a couple of minutes,’” Billups said.
He elected to leave Clingan in the game and he avoided fouling out during a physical game.
“I was pretty impressed with myself for that,” Clingan said.
So was Billups.
Clingan blocked a shot, had an assist, and grabbed three rebounds during the rest of the fourth quarter. He left the game briefly for a situation substitution.
In overtime, Clingan blocked another shot, scored a field goal and snatched three more rebounds.
Coming up with two points, six rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in roughly 14 minutes while playing with five fouls justified Billups' trust.
“He has to learn how to play in these situations,” Billups said. “And I thought he did an excellent job of staying out there, still being imposing and not picking up that foul.”
Clingan, who finished the night with 6 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, said he avoided getting the sixth foul by remaining under control.
At times, Clingan added, it’s best to allow a layup rather than rush to defend, pick up that sixth foul and leave the game.
“Just being smart, being really technical,” he said.
Improved conditioning has helped Clingan perform well late in games.
“I’m happy with where he is in terms of his fitness and his body, his education of the game at this point,” Billups said. “I’m very happy with where DC is at.”
Clingan’s offense has been slow to come around. He has reached double digits in points just five times in his last 14 games. But he is shooting 60.5% from the field.
Billups said Clingan is a good passer with raw offensive skills. Apparently, Clingan has told Billups he wants to add being a pick-and-pop center to his repertoire.
Right now, Billups would settle for Clingan becoming a better finisher around the basket. But he does see a future where Clingan has the freedom to let the three-ball fly.
“I want to see him become a knock-down three-point shooter,” Billups said. “I think he’s able and he’s capable. There’s a few things that I have at the top of the list for DC this summer.”
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)