LAS VEGAS — Portland Trail Blazers fans got their first look at rookie center Donovan Clingan on Saturday night in the No. 7 overall pick’s professional debut at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Clingan, the 7-foot-2 big man who helped lead UConn to back-to-back national championships, was as advertised on defense, leading all players with 13 rebounds and five blocked shots in the Blazers’ 83-77 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Offense was more of a challenge for the Blazers rookie. He missed seven of eight shots, including all three of his 3-point attempts, and finished with four points. He ended up playing 27 minutes.
Second-year forward Rayan Rupert had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Blazers, though he also turned the ball over six times. The Blazers’ other second-year forward, Kris Murray, had nine points, two rebounds and two assists. Rupert (1 for 4) and Murray (1 for 3) both struggled from the 3-point line.
The Blazers got contributions from the two players on the team currently signed to two-way contracts: Justin Minaya (12 points, four steals, three assists, two rebounds in 20 minutes) and Bryce McGowens (eight points, three steals, two assists in 19 minutes).
Alex Reese, who played for the Rip City Remix last season, led the Blazers in scoring with 16 points in 13 minutes.
For the Spurs, Stephon Castle, the No. 4 overall pick and former teammate of Clingan at UConn, led all scorers with 22 points. He also had five rebounds and four assists. He turned the ball over five times and struggled with his shot, missing 13 of his 21 shots and four of six 3-pointers.
Here’s the schedule for the Blazers’ other three guaranteed games at NBA Summer League:
- Monday: vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 5:30 p.m., NBATV
- Tuesday: vs. Washington Wizards, 5:30 p.m., NBATV
- Friday: vs. Charlotte Hornets, 8 p.m., ESPN2
