Blazers News: Core Portland Star Exits Rockets Game with Troubling New Injury

Will he return to action on Saturday?

Nov 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Midway through the third quarter Portland Trail Blazers' ongoing game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, rookie center Donovan Clingan attempted to check himself out of the action after appearing to hurt his left leg against rising Rockets star center Alperen Sengun beneath Houston's basket.

He was forced to return to action until an official stop in play was called at the 6:02 mark of the frame, with Houston leading by a mere point, 58-57. Clingan, who had drawn the start for injured big man Deandre Ayton (out with a deep right index finger contusion), was limping noticeably.

Backup Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III was also a scratch for rest, with Portland exercising caution for the injury-prone center, given that he just played last night. According to a recent NBA injury report, former two-time All-Defensive shooting guard Matisse Thybulle is out for his 16th game of the year with a right ankle sprain. Two-way player Bryce McGowens is with Portland's NBAGL affiliate, the Rip City Remix. Reserve point guard Scoot Henderson is missing both of Portland's games against Houston after hurting his back as the passenger in a minor car accident.

Read More: Scoot Henderson Involved in Car Accident, Won't Play vs Rockets

Among Houston rotation players, only backup center Steven Adams is on the shelf as he recovers from a right knee injury.

When action resumed, Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups shifted power forward Kris Murray to a small ball center role, creating an instant mismatch with a clear advantage for Sengun. Clearly, Billups is looking to best Houston (who beat Portland last night in a 116-88 blowout) with speed, due to its size disadvantage. Deep-bench center Duop Reath, who's not much of a shot blocker but is the legitimate size of a five and has actual jump-shooting range, should also be employed liberally here, if Clingan winds up being officially ruled out.

Clingan exited the game having scored zero points on 0-of-2 shooting from the field. But the 7-foot-2 lottery pick out of UConn remains an impressive rebounding machine. He's pulled down a whopping 16 rebounds, while also dishing out one assist, recording one block and logging a risky three fouls. Sengun, meanwhile, already has 12 points and five rebounds.

Heading into the game, Clingan had been averaging 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 0.5 steals a night across just 16.5 minutes.

UPDATE:

Clingan suffered a left knee injury, but has been made available to return to action during the game's fourth quarter, per the local broadcast. He has yet to return to action.

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