Duop

Reath

Ayton has missed their last seven games, but he may be back in the lineup on Wednesday. That would be great news for Portland, since Donovan Clingan (knee) and Robert Williams (concussion) are both set to miss time. If Ayton can’t suit up, Duop Reath should get his first start of the season at center.

Williams exited their last game with a head injury and is now officially in the league’s concussion protocol. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined, but he’ll definitely miss Wednesday’s game against Indiana. With Donovan Clingan out at least two weeks, Duop Reath will be the next man up behind Deandre Ayton at center.

Clingan missed their last game on Monday, and while he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the odds are that it’ll be longer before he is back in the lineup. Robert Williams is in concussion protocol, though Deandre Ayton is questionable to return on Wednesday. That leaves Duop Reath as the only other center option, and he should play a significant role over their next few games, especially if Ayton remains out.

Ayton’s continued absence means Donovan Clingan stays in the starting lineup. Also impacted is Duop Reath, who should play backup center minutes with Robert Williams sitting out the second game of the back-to-back.

Unsurprisingly, Williams will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back. He should be back for their next one, but with Deandre Ayton expected to remain out, Donovan Clingan and Duop Reath will split the center minutes on Saturday.

Ayton didn’t play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, which allowed Williams to have his best game of the season. However, with both players out, Donovan Clingan should be in for a big night. He was quiet as a starter on Wednesday, but he should see even more of a workload, with Duop Reath filling out the backup center minutes.

These two have been the stars for Portland over the past couple of weeks, since every other rotation player has been injured. If Scoot sits out, Dalano Banton should move into the starting unit in his place. Ayton exited early from their last one, and if he remains out for the season finale, Duop Reath will start in his place.

Ayton played 23 minutes before exiting, finishing with six points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Walker only played 14 minutes, tallying nine points, five rebounds, and one blocked shot. If Ayton and Walker aren’t available for Sunday’s season finale, Duop Reath, Dalano Banton, and Kris Murray are three players who could be asked to shoulder heavy workloads.

Ayton recorded his second straight double-double and 28th of the season on Wednesday. Providing 5th-round per-game value in 8-cat formats over the past three weeks, productivity is not a concern for managers who have Ayton rostered. Availability is, even though he has played in each of Portland’s last three games. Given Portland’s place in the standings, Duop Reath (seven points, three rebounds, and one 3-pointer in 11 minutes) remains relevant in deep leagues despite not seeing much action as Ayton’s backup. The schedule may give Ayton managers hope, as the Blazers play two more games in Week 23 but will not have to deal with a back-to-back.

Ayton returned to the lineup on Friday, and the individual production was solid. However, it wasn’t enough to keep the Blazers from suffering their second 60-point loss of the season. At this point in the season, Ayton is Portland’s best fantasy option, but only if the availability isn’t in question. His return on Friday pushed Duop Reath to the bench, and the rookie finished with six points and two rebounds in 14 minutes. He’s worth holding onto, as there’s no telling how Portland will handle Ayton’s availability moving forward.