The NBA handed out its weekly honors today, and while the top trophies went to Stephon Castle of the Spurs and Jalen Johnson of the Hawks, two Portland Trail Blazers quietly made their presence felt. Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant earned honorable mentions for Western Conference Player of the Week-an acknowledgment that speaks volumes about the work they’ve been putting in lately.
Let’s start with Clingan. The rookie big man has been turning heads with his sheer presence in the paint.
Over three games from February 2nd to 8th, Clingan averaged 15.7 points and a monster 17.0 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game. That kind of production on the glass isn’t just impressive-it’s dominant.
He’s showing the kind of rebounding instincts and physicality that don’t usually come this early in a rookie campaign. Whether it’s cleaning up the defensive boards or giving Portland second-chance opportunities, Clingan is proving he belongs.
Then there’s Jerami Grant, who’s been on a scoring tear. He put up 25.0 points per game over that same stretch, shooting a blistering 55.3% from the field and a lights-out 52.2% from deep.
Those are elite efficiency numbers, especially for a forward who’s often tasked with creating his own shot. Grant’s been a steadying force for the Blazers, and his ability to stretch the floor while still getting to his spots inside makes him a tough cover night in and night out.
While the weekly award ultimately went to Castle-who’s been on a tear himself-it’s no small thing to see Clingan and Grant mentioned in the same breath as names like Kawhi Leonard and Trey Murphy III. That kind of recognition, even as an honorable mention, is a nod to the impact they’re having on the floor.
For a Blazers team building toward the future, these kinds of performances are a bright spot. Clingan is developing into a foundational piece, and Grant continues to be a reliable veteran presence with the ability to take over games. If they keep this up, honorable mentions might just turn into full-blown awards before long.