No Deni Avdija? No problem for the Trail Blazers-at least not this past week.
Despite missing their versatile forward in three of four games due to injury, Portland didn’t just stay afloat-they surged. The Blazers rattled off three straight wins, and in the process, two of their young talents made enough noise to land on the NBA’s radar for Player of the Week consideration. That kind of resilience says a lot about the depth and emerging identity of this team.
Let’s start with Shaedon Sharpe. The second-year guard is showing he’s more than just a high-flying highlight reel.
Over the four-game stretch, Sharpe averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in just over 31 minutes per game. He’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently and within the flow of the offense.
Sharpe’s ability to create off the dribble and finish through contact is evolving, and it’s clear the Blazers are trusting him with more responsibility. That trust is paying off.
Then there’s Donovan Clingan, the rookie big man who continues to look like he belongs. He posted averages of 13.8 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field over the same four-game stretch.
Those are grown-man numbers, especially for a first-year player still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. Clingan’s presence in the paint has been a stabilizing force-he’s altering shots, cleaning the glass, and giving Portland a legitimate interior anchor.
While neither Sharpe nor Clingan ultimately took home Player of the Week honors-those went to Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the West and Miami’s Bam Adebayo in the East-the fact that both Blazers were in the conversation speaks volumes. It’s a sign that Portland’s young core is starting to turn potential into production.
Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, while Adebayo’s two-way impact remains a cornerstone of Miami’s success. But for Portland, the takeaway this week isn’t about who won the award-it’s about who stepped up when the team needed it most.
Avdija’s absence could’ve been a setback. Instead, it became an opportunity-and Sharpe and Clingan seized it. That’s the kind of internal growth that can quietly shift a franchise’s trajectory.