After defeating the Portland Path Blazers on Sunday, Phoenix Suns Ahead Kevin Durant got here away impressed with Donovan Clingan and believes the rookie has a shiny future forward of him.
Durant helped lead the Suns to a 116-109 victory over the Path Blazers on the Footprint Middle, recording 20 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists. Clingan produced 10 factors, 9 rebounds, three assists and two blocked photographs in his second recreation again from a knee harm.
The 2 gamers went head-to-head on a number of events, with Durant scoring six factors on 3-of-5 capturing from the sector. However whereas Durant has discovered success towards him, the 14-time All-Star admitted that Clingan is usually a tough participant to attain, by way of Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
He is massive. He is an enormous younger participant, 7(foot)2, 7(foot)3. He is even attempting to increase his vary to the 3-point line, feeling comfy simply making these photographs . There’ll clearly be video games the place he does not make a few of them, however simply to have the boldness to make them. Its size is tough to exceed. I really feel like I fell into the paint as soon as, and it was simply me and him, and I am like, “That is a simple pull-up.” He simply raised his hand, he did not even soar and it was nonetheless laborious to see the sting. They’d a very good one there with him. It is all about growth and I do know he’ll do the work and enhance.
“Yeah, he’s massive.”
Kevin Durant on Blazers rookie Donovan Clingan.
“One time I went down within the paint, simply him and me. I am pondering to myself that is a simple pull-up and he simply raised his hand. He did not even soar and it was nonetheless laborious to see the rim.” #Suns #RipCity pic.twitter.com/cKwt3GKWT7
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2024
Clingan is averaging 6.1 factors, 6.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 blocks on 52.7% capturing from the sector in 19 video games with the Path Blazers. Regardless of lacking practically three weeks, Clingan is eighth within the NBA in whole blocks (39) and third amongst all rookies in rebounds.
The 7-footer recorded a minimum of one block in his first 17 video games of the season, the fourth longest profession begin streak by a rookie in historical past. He handed Corridor of Famer Invoice Walton final month. for the longest sequence by a first-year participant in franchise historical past (15).
Clingan is acting at a excessive degree in a restricted pattern measurement to start out the season with the Path Blazers. He has earned the belief and respect of his teammates, and a few opponents even begin to discover him on the sector from the beginning.
This text was initially printed on Rookie Wire: Path Blazers information: Kevin Durant is a fan of rookie Donovan Clingan
