{"id":338005,"date":"2025-10-28T08:46:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T08:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/338005\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T08:46:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T08:46:12","slug":"as-portland-trail-blazers-roll-los-angeles-lakers-a-protege-outplays-his-old-mentor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/338005\/","title":{"rendered":"As Portland Trail Blazers roll Los Angeles Lakers, a protege outplays his old mentor"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES \u2014 Deni Avdija<\/a> had another 20-point night, Jrue Holiday<\/a> drew praise from the opposing coach for his two-way dominance and the Portland Trail Blazers\u2019<\/a> incessant pressure wreaked havoc yet again.<\/p>\n

But after watching his team dismiss the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter couldn\u2019t help but marvel at the performance of another player, a performance, he says, that stood out above all others. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think, lowkey, Donovan (Clingan) was great tonight,\u201d Splitter said after the Blazers breezed past the Lakers 122-108 to earn their first road win of the season. \u201cHe protected the rim. He got seven offensive rebounds. He got a lot of second chances for us, (had) 14 rebounds total. He was awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

The superb play started almost immediately, 42 seconds after he outdueled old friend Deandre Ayton<\/a> for the opening tip, when Clingan skied near the basket and swatted away Jake LaRavia\u2019s driving layup attempt off the glass. And it didn\u2019t let up the rest of the night, as the second-year center owned the glass, protected the paint, cleaned up teammates\u2019 misses and provided a last-line of defense for the Blazers\u2019 swarming full-court press.<\/p>\n

When it was all said and done, the 7-foot-2 bulldog had logged season highs in points (16), rebounds (14) and field goals (eight), while adding two blocks and two assists. He recorded his first double-double of the season, made 8 of 12 shots and finished with an impressive plus\/minus of plus-21. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we didn\u2019t have DC, we\u2019d be a very different team,\u201d Blazers forward Toumani Camara<\/a> said. \u201cWe just have a lot of trust in him, even though he\u2019s really young. And his ability to protect the rim and his competitive mindset, I think, is so important and really what I love about his game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lost in the Blazers\u2019 ludicrously fast pace of play, baseline-to-baseline defense, depth and recent off-the-court drama is that Clingan has quietly excelled through four games. After spending the offseason overhauling his physique and working<\/a> to get in the best shape of his life \u2014 all in an effort to survive the Blazers\u2019 new fast-paced schemes \u2014 Clingan has enjoyed the spoils of his hard work.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s averaging 11.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.<\/p>\n

Clingan\u2019s not the flashiest Blazers player, and he doesn\u2019t elicit the most highlight-reel moments. But ask around the Blazers\u2019 locker room, and Clingan\u2019s teammates will tell you his underrated contributions and general sacrifice have been invaluable.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that he impacts our team and doesn\u2019t get credit for it,\u201d Holiday said. \u201cThe way that he protects the paint. The way he controlled the paint and went at Ayton. He did it on the offensive end, getting offensive rebounds. And, defensively, we know Ayton can hit those shots, but when it gets to him trying to make buckets at the basket, I really feel like Cling really cleaned that up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ah, yes, Ayton. <\/p>\n

That Clingan\u2019s best game of the season came against his old mentor, well, that was an added bonus. Clingan mostly downplayed the reunion, but after a little prodding, he finally acknowledged carrying a little extra juice into their first matchup as opponents.<\/p>\n

There was no playful pregame trash talk via text, no friendly banter among old friends. They briefly said \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d and exchanged a hug before the opening tip, then went to work.<\/p>\n

Ayton finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, but he committed three turnovers, spent plenty of time in the first half complaining to officials about his early foul trouble and did most of his damage on midrange jumpers. For the most part, Clingan kept Ayton out of the lane and neutralized him whenever he managed to bully inside \u2014 Ayton made just 2 of 5 shots in the paint.<\/p>\n

Afterward, Clingan praised the man who nurtured and tutored him throughout his rookie season, crediting Ayton for sharing wisdom about everything from rebound positioning to running the floor to communication.<\/p>\n

It was just one of three times the former teammates will meet this season. But after outplaying his mentor in their first game as opponents, Clingan couldn\u2019t help but walk away from the visiting locker room at Crypto.com Arena wearing an oversized grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love DA,\u201d Clingan said. \u201cHe helped me so much my rookie year getting me adapted to this game. And I\u2019ve got a lot of respect for him and love for him. It was cool going out there playing against him tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

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