Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77

PHOENIX (AP) — 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.

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.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77 | iNFOnews.ca
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. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77 | iNFOnews.ca
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, right, is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77 | iNFOnews.ca
Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) pressures Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clingan scores 23 points to lead Trail Blazers past short-handed Suns 92-77 | iNFOnews.ca
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.