Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
PHOENIX — Donovan Clingan had 23 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead the Portland Trail Blazers past the short-handed Phoenix Suns, 92-77 on Sunday night.
Jerami Grant also scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. The Trail Blazers bounced back from an ugly 157-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday and have won five of their past seven.
Portland built a 20-point lead by late in the third quarter and settled for a 71-57 advantage heading into the fourth. Collin Gillespie hit two 3-pointers to cut it to 80-69 with 7:36 left but Grant responded with a 3 to turn back the rally.
Gillespie led Phoenix with 18 points, and Jalen Green had 13. Coming off a 113-110 double-overtime win over Orlando at home Saturday, the Suns shot just 36.9% from the field and the 77 points were a season low.
It was a sloppy game for both teams — the Blazers had 21 turnovers and the Suns had 19.
Portland took a 47-40 lead into halftime after Phoenix shot just 2 of 19 (10.5%) from 3-point range. Grant led the Blazers with 12 points before the break.
Portland lost leading scorer Deni Avdija after just one minute after the All-Star aggravated a lower back injury. Avdija — who has been battling low back issues for several weeks — was listed as questionable coming into the game.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, center, drives between Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) and guard Amir Coffey, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
The Suns were missing a big chunk of their regular rotation, including All-Star guard Devin Booker (hip strain), forward Dillon Brooks (fractured hand), guard Grayson Allen (knee/ankle) and guard Jordan Goodwin (calf).
The four players are averaging more than 70 points per game combined.
Up next
Trail Blazers: Host Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Suns: Host Boston on Tuesday night.
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