Donovan Clingan Questionable for Trail Blazers’ Game Against Spurs on December 13th with Knee Injury
Donovan Clingan, the Portland Trail Blazers’ center, is currently dealing with a left MCL sprain, leaving his status uncertain for the upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 13th. Clingan has been sidelined since November 24th due to this knee injury, and his return remains questionable as the team approaches their next matchup.
The injury has kept Clingan off the court for several games, and the Trail Blazers are closely monitoring his recovery process. Initially expected to miss at least two weeks, Clingan’s absence has been felt in the team’s rotation, particularly in the rebounding department where he ranks fourth on the team with an average of 6.7 rebounds per game.
What It Means
Donovan Clingan’s potential absence continues to impact the Trail Blazers, especially in their interior defense and rebounding capabilities. While Clingan’s scoring contribution is modest at 5.8 points per game, his presence in the paint as a rebounder is significant. The Trail Blazers have had to rely on other players like Kris Murray and Duop Reath to fill the void left by Clingan’s injury.
In recent games, Clingan has not been able to contribute on the court, as evidenced by his lack of playing time and statistics in the last several matchups. His last notable performance came against the Houston Rockets on November 23rd, where he recorded 19 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. This highlights the potential impact he can have when healthy.
As the Trail Blazers prepare to face the Spurs, they will need to adjust their strategies to compensate for Clingan’s possible absence. Players like Kris Murray, who averages 4.5 points in 12.7 minutes per game, and Duop Reath, with 2.1 points in 6.4 minutes per game, may see increased roles. The team will look to maintain their competitive edge as they await Clingan’s return to full health.
