Donovan Clingan Sets Career High in Blazers’ Loss to Nuggets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Donovan Clingan just put together his best game as a pro, and Chauncey Billups took notice. The seventh overall pick dropped a career-high 21 points in the Trail Blazers’ 146-117 loss to the Nuggets on Monday night, earning postgame praise from his head coach.

Clingan was dominant in his minutes, finishing a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw linewhile adding seven rebounds and a block in just 21 minutes off the bench. Portland has been playing some of its best basketball lately, winning 10 of its last 13 games, but Denver proved too much to handle.

Clingan’s eight made field goals without a miss were the most by a Blazers player since Arvydas Sabonis in 2000. It also tied for the second-most makes without a miss by a rookie in franchise history.

"I loved it," Billups said. "It was, obviously, a career high for him, but he was aggressive. I thought even defensively, he did a pretty good job in a nightmare matchup (against Nikola Jokić), obviously. But, man, he finished the ball very well. I thought he passed it pretty well. It was just a really good game for D.C."

Clingan topped double figures for the sixth time this season, and it was his first time doing so since Jan. 9. The 7-footer did most of his damage in the paint, finishing lobs, cleaning up misses, and even knocking down just his seventh three-pointer of the season.

On the defensive end, Clingan provided rim protection in his minutes, but he wasn’t satisfied.

"I feel like I played all right," Clingan said. "I feel like I ran the floor pretty well, rebounded pretty well. I just wish I set better screens to get my guards open. I like to win; it hurts to lose."

Through 40 games, Clingan is averaging 5.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 54.3% shooting. Despite playing just 16 minutes per game, he ranks 12th in the NBA in blocks per game and second among all rookies.

The former UConn standout has battled nagging injuries over the past month, but Monday night was a sign that he’s settling in.

"I feel good," Clingan said. "(My) body feels good, legs feel good and I feel like my conditioning is where it needs to be."

Now, he’ll look to build on this breakout performance as Portland continues its push in the Western Conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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