LAS VEGAS — Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan nearly had a double-double in his second summer-league game, helping to lead the Blazers to a 97-95 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Clingan, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had eight points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The Blazers outscored the 76ers by 14 points when the 7-foot-2 center was on the court.
The Blazers rookie had three big plays down the stretch, one on offense and two on defense, to help the Blazers clinch the win. Clingan grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a putback with 54 seconds left to pull the Blazers within one, 94-93. Then with 17 seconds left, he blocked a jump shot by 76ers first-round pick Jared McCain and secured the defensive rebound. After Bryce McGowens hit two free throws to give the Blazers a 95-94 lead with seven seconds left, Clingan pressured the inbounds, leading to a five-second violation by the 76ers.
Clingan struggled again with his shot, missing seven of 11 shots and his lone 3-point attempt. He missed seven of eight shots in his first summer-league game on Saturday and is shooting 26.3% from the field (5 for 19) through the first two games. But he again showed his defensive impact. In the first two games of summer-league, Clingan is averaging 12 rebounds and four blocks per game.
McGowens, who signed a two-year deal with the Blazers before the start of summer-league competition, led the Blazers with 20 points off the bench.
Blazers' second-year forward Kris Murray had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, but missed 12 of 15 shots, including seven of nine from the 3-point line.
The Blazers' other two-way player, Justin Minaya, had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals, and second-year wing Rayan Rupert scored nine points, all in the first quarter.
McCain, the 76ers' first-round draft pick with the 16th overall selection, had 11 points and seven rebounds, but missed 13 of 16 shots. Adem Bona, the 76ers' second-round pick, had eight points, four rebounds and three blocks but played only 21 minutes with seven fouls.
Here’s the schedule for the Blazers’ other two guaranteed games at NBA Summer League:
- Tuesday: vs. Washington Wizards, 5:30 p.m., NBATV
- Friday: vs. Charlotte Hornets, 8 p.m., ESPN2