In their most recent four-game stretch, spanning the last fortnight, the Portland Trail Blazers experienced a wide spectrum of results. Each of these matchups concluded with a double-digit margin; they suffered significant defeats of 24 and 54 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, respectively, but also secured strong victories, beating the Utah Jazz by 16 points and the Phoenix Suns by 15 points.
For this period, which included fewer games due to the All-Star break, the “Blazer of the Week” distinction goes to their impactful big man, Donovan Clingan.
Across these four contests, Clingan posted impressive averages of 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 blocks. His presence around the rim has been truly exceptional, excelling in both rebounding and shot-blocking. Furthermore, he’s demonstrated a newfound reliability in scoring near the basket over recent months. His progression into a top-tier starting center now provides the Blazers with an enhanced offensive threat, complementing his established role as a defensive anchor.
Beyond his prowess in securing defensive boards, Clingan has also displayed an incredible knack for extending offensive possessions through his offensive rebounding. This week, he collected an average of 4.5 offensive rebounds, adding to his stellar work on the defensive glass. For a Portland squad ranking 28th in the NBA for both field goal and three-point percentage, these additional possessions are incredibly valuable.
As a second-year talent, Clingan has already made significant strides in his game, boding well for his NBA future. His progress from beyond the arc suggests he can consistently hit that shot at a near-league-average rate. This past week, he connected on 8 of 17 attempts from deep, achieving an excellent 47.1% efficiency. His hesitation when open for a three-pointer has noticeably diminished. A key advantage he currently holds is the novelty of this threat; opponents haven’t yet fully adjusted to his improved shooting range. It remains to be seen if he can maintain this accuracy when more closely contested, but for now, his ability to make open threes greatly boosts Portland’s offensive flow, allowing him to be effective as both a roller and a popper after setting screens.
Earning an honorable mention for this week is Scoot Henderson.
During the four-game stretch, Henderson averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds. While not his most statistically outstanding week, it marked a promising return after a prolonged absence due to injury. Playing 21.8 minutes per game off the bench, his minutes restriction was lifted following the All-Star break. Scoot’s explosiveness and playmaking skills are clearly intact; he simply needs to refine them to maximize his considerable talents. His efficiency was somewhat inconsistent, shooting 41% from the field but a more respectable 40.9% from three-point range. Overall, these initial games back for Henderson were very encouraging. He still has further potential to unlock, but these early performances delivered everything fans could have hoped for.
Which Blazer’s performance caught your eye the most this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section!