At the NBA Rising Stars game on Friday night, Portland Trail Blazers fans got a rare-and highly entertaining-glimpse of what happens when their two towering young bigs, Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan, go from teammates to rivals. Normally allies in the paint at the Moda Center, the 7-footers found themselves on opposite sides of the court, and the result was a moment that had the crowd buzzing and social media on fire.
The play that stole the show? Hansen sizing up Clingan one-on-one at the top of the key.
What looked like a routine face-up quickly turned into a must-see highlight. Hansen, the 7-foot-3 rookie out of China, gave a subtle shoulder shimmy, then sold a jump shot fake so convincingly that Clingan bit hard, lunging forward in anticipation.
That was all Hansen needed-he blew past his teammate with ease and cruised in for a smooth finish, punctuated by a grin that said it all. It wasn’t just a bucket-it was a bragging rights moment, and Hansen knew it.
While Team Melo walked away with the 65-60 win, Hansen’s performance for Team Austin turned heads. He led his squad in scoring with 10 points, added a rebound, and knocked down 4 of 5 from the free-throw line.
But more than the numbers, it was his offensive polish-especially for a player his size-that had people talking. The footwork, the composure, the confidence to break out a move like that on a fellow 7-footer?
That’s not something you see every day.
Clingan, for his part, had a quieter stat line-three rebounds-but his defensive presence was still felt throughout the game. It’s just that, in this case, one pump fake was all it took to make him the wrong end of a viral clip. And let’s be honest: that’s the kind of moment that gets replayed in the locker room more than any box score.
The night had its share of drama, including a game-winner from Dylan Harper over his brother, Ron Harper Jr., which added a family rivalry twist. But for Trail Blazers fans, the real intrigue was watching their two young big men shine under the national spotlight-even if it meant one had to take the L in a friendly showdown.
Teammate on teammate crime!
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026
Yang Hansen FAKES OUT Donovan Clingan for the bucket inside 🪣
pic.twitter.com/Gw4YBup6Lo
Portland’s frontcourt future is looking bright. The franchise has invested heavily in Hansen and Clingan, and seeing both hold their own on this stage is a strong sign that the Blazers are building something real.
Hansen showed he’s more than just size-he’s got skill, swagger, and the ability to create his own shot. Clingan, meanwhile, remains a defensive anchor in the making.
Friday night was just an exhibition, but for Portland, it was also a glimpse of what’s to come. And if this is how good these two look now, just imagine what they’ll do when they’re back on the same side of the court.