Donovan

Clingan

Ayton practiced Tuesday, so he’s trending in the right direction after missing two straight games. If he’s able to get back on the court, Ayton will likely start, and Donovan Clingan will head back to the bench.

Ayton has missed their last two games, but this bodes well for his chances if playing against Denver on Tuesday. Donovan Clingan started in their last game, with Robert Williams and Jabari Walker also seeing time off the bench. It is quite the logjam at center, though Walker will certainly be pushed out of the rotation if Ayton is back. The likely scenario is that Ayton returns to the starting lineup, with Clingan and Williams playing small roles off the bench.

After a seven-game absence, Williams was back in action for the Trail Blazers on Sunday. However, his playing time was limited, minimizing the value fantasy managers could derive from the Time Lord. Donovan Clingan started but was also on a minutes restriction. He finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in 19 minutes. In the short term, the values of Clingan and Williams will depend partially on Deandre Ayton’s availability, as he has missed Portland’s last two games with illness.

Clingan moves into the starting lineup for Sunday’s game, replacing Jabari Walker. However, fantasy managers should not expect the rookie to play starters’ minutes, as he remains restricted in his second game back from a sprained MCL. With Clingan’s minutes increasing and Robert Williams (conditioning) cleared to play, Walker’s minutes will take a significant hit.

Ayton will miss a second consecutive game due to illness, and the rotation’s appearance on Sunday will depend on multiple factors. Robert Williams III (conditioning) is questionable, while Donovan Clingan may still be restricted in his second game back. If the Time Lord plays, Jabari Walker’s minutes will decrease. Clingan should be rostered regardless of his playing time, especially for managers needing rebounds and blocks.

Clingan returned to the court on Friday after missing over three weeks with a knee injury. To no one’s surprise, the rookie’s playing time was restricted, as he only played 15 minutes. As a result, Clingan did not fully benefit from the absences of Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. Jabari Walker started on Friday and was less productive than Clingan, finishing with five points, five rebounds, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes. Fantasy managers who have Clingan rostered should remain patient, as there’s likely to be a point where Portland decides to give their lottery pick the lion’s share of the playing time for developmental reasons.

Both bigs will be sidelined, with Williams having been out for over two weeks. Ayton has been available in recent weeks, but his absence will coincide with Donovan Clingan (knee) returning. However, Clingan will be on a minutes restriction, so Jabari Walker will get the start at center.

Clingan is available for the first time since November 23, when he injured his knee during a win over the Rockets. His minutes will be restricted, but there’s room for fantasy production due to the absences of Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. Jabari Walker will start and is worth streaming due to the injuries.

Both Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams practiced fully on Thursday and are now questionable to play in this game. With all three center options questionable, the rotation will depend entirely on who is available. Ayton should be the starter if he’s healthy, with Clingan next in line.

While they haven’t ruled Williams out for Friday’s game yet, the odds of him playing seem to be lower than Donovan Clingan’s. With Deandre Ayton also healthy, there is too much of a longjam here for any of them to truly dominate, but Williams is capable of making a big impact in limited minutes.