Rookie Sensation: Donovan Clingan Dominate the Glass as Blazers Topple Boston
In a season defined by growth and grit, the Portland Trail Blazers secured their most impressive victory of the 2025-2026 campaign on Sunday night. Facing the Eastern Conference powerhouse Boston Celtics, Portland relied on a dominant interior performance from rookie center Donovan Clingan to secure a hard fought 114-108 victory at the Moda Center. The win snapped a three game losing skid for the Blazers and proved that their young core is capable of competing with the league’s elite.
While the Celtics entered the contest as heavy favorites, the Blazers’ energy on the glass and defensive intensity in the second half turned the tide. For the Portland faithful, the story of the night was the maturation of their lottery pick, whose presence in the paint made life difficult for Boston’s star studded lineup throughout the evening.
The Clingan Factor: A Force in the Paint
Donovan Clingan delivered what many are calling his breakout performance as a professional. The 7 foot 2 center was an absolute vacuum on the boards, finishing with a towering 18 points and 18 rebounds. His 10 offensive rebounds gave Portland crucial second chance opportunities, a stat that ultimately decided the game in the closing minutes.
Clingan’s impact wasn't just limited to the box score. His defensive gravity forced the Celtics to settle for perimeter shots, as he recorded three blocks and altered numerous others at the rim. In the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 100 all, it was Clingan’s interior gravity that opened up the floor for Portland’s shooters, allowing the Blazers to go on a decisive late game run.
Sharpe and Avdija: The Scoring Engines
While Clingan controlled the interior, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija provided the offensive fire power needed to outpace Boston. Sharpe led all Blazers scorers with 26 points, including a scorching 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot in high pressure moments has become a hallmark of his third season, and he looked every bit the part of a future All Star against Boston’s elite wing defenders.
Deni Avdija turned in one of his most complete games in a Blazers uniform, flirting with a triple double. Avdija finished with 24 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, acting as the primary playmaker for much of the second half. His vision was particularly evident in the third quarter, where he orchestrated a 31-22 scoring run that allowed Portland to erase an eight point halftime deficit.
Jaylen Brown’s Historic Effort in Vain
For the Boston Celtics, the loss overshadowed a historic individual achievement by Jaylen Brown. Brown was spectacular, pouring in 37 points on 14-of-23 shooting. This marked his ninth consecutive game with 30 or more points, tying the legendary Larry Bird for the longest such streak in Celtics franchise history.
Despite Brown’s brilliance, Boston struggled to find secondary scoring with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury. The Celtics shot just 29% from three point range, a testament to Portland’s perimeter defense led by Toumani Camara. Camara, who added 20 points of his own, spent much of the night shadowing Brown, making him work for every bucket.
Turning Point: The Final Five Minutes
The game reached a fever pitch with 4:47 remaining when a Derrick White layup tied the score at 100. However, Portland responded immediately. Following a timeout, rookie Caleb Love who provided a massive spark with 18 points off the bench nailed a transition three pointer to put the Blazers ahead for good.
The dagger came from none other than Clingan. With less than a minute to play and the Blazers leading by one, Clingan converted a tough and one layup over Boston’s Neemias Queta. The successful free throw pushed the lead to four, and a final defensive stop by Camara sealed the upset victory.
The Blazers (12-19) now have a quick turnaround as they host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. For a young team looking for consistency, this win over the Celtics serves as a major confidence booster. The Celtics (19-11) will look to bounce back as they head to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
Portland’s victory is a clear signal to the rest of the NBA: with Donovan Clingan anchoring the middle and Shaedon Sharpe ascending as a scorer, the Trail Blazers' rebuild is ahead of schedule.