Trail Blazers Injury Report: Status of Deandre Ayton vs Timberwolves Revealed

Will Portland's starting center suit up?

Feb 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) in the second quarter at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images / Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Portland Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton has been officially ruled out for Tuesday night's impending home matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. The 7-foot big man is dealing with a right index finger sprain.

Read More: Trail Blazers Center Late Add to Injury Report Ahead of Timberwolves Game

Highkin adds that 7-foot-2 rookie big man Donovan Clingan, selected with the No. 7 pick in this summer's 2024 NBA Draft, will start in Ayton's stead. Clingan, a two-time NCAA champion while with the University of Connecticut Huskies, has emerged as head coach Chauncey Billups' de facto top choice to serve as the backup five. In 11 games for Portland so far, the 20-year-old is averaging 4.8 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the floor and 76.9 percent shooting from the charity stripe, along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 13.9 minutes per.

With the return of Robert Williams III, the trouble will continue for deep-bench center Reath. Across his two games thus far, the former All-Defensive Teamer is averaging 8.5 points on .667/.500/1.000 shooting splits, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 assists a night, in just 14.0 minutes per.

Reath, meanwhile, enjoyed a pretty solid rookie season in 2023-24, but had been buried for most of this season on the Blazers' depth chart. In just six games this year, Reath is averaging a scant 3.3 minutes a night. Last year, he averaged 9.1 points on .461/.359/.742 shooting splits, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 steals. Until the Trail Blazers can trade Ayton and/or Williams, Reath may be facing tough sledding when it comes to carving out real minutes.

According to the league's latest injury report, two-time All-Defensive swingman Matisse Thybulle will continue to sit out, as he recuperates from his right knee injury. The veteran shooting guard/small forward has yet to make his debut for Portland this season.

Two-way Timberwolves players Daishen Nix, Jaylen Clark, and Jesse Edwards are all with the team's NBAGL affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, as is small forward Leonard Miller.

Ayton has had another modest-scoring start to his second season in Portland. Across his 11 healthy bouts, he's averaging a career-worst 13.3 points on .519/.385/.625 shooting splits, plus 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

More Trail Blazers: Portland Forward Hints at Closed Door Team Meeting Following Another Loss