NBA Notes: Blazers, Donovan Clingan, Lakers, Luka Doncic, Magic

Trail Blazers

Donovan Clingan continues to give Portland a steady presence in the middle.

The second-year center has settled into a consistent rhythm, averaging 10.8 points and 10.5 rebounds, and recorded his sixth double-double in eight games Friday with 11 points and 15 boards in a win over New Orleans.

Interim coach Tiago Splitter said Clingan’s growth has come with increased responsibility.

“He’s just growing as a basketball player, growing as a big,” Splitter told Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. “He’s getting used to playing high minutes and being effective.”

For a rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers, Clingan’s production has been one of the more reliable developments early in the season.

Elsewhere, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report examined several looming questions around the franchise, including when new owner Tom Dundon will begin to shape the organization more directly and how long the team will wait before making a decision on Chauncey Billups’ future.

Lakers

Luka Doncic and LeBron James showed no issues sharing the stage Friday, leading the Lakers to a 128-121 win over Memphis, as noted by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Doncic poured in 34 points while going 17-of-20 from the free-throw line, adding eight assists and six rebounds. James followed with 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. It marked the first time since March that both players scored at least 30 points in the same game.

“It was just playing and playing in rhythm,” James said. “We’re trying to find ways that we can be productive.”

Magic

Another injury scare followed Jalen Suggs off the floor Friday.

Suggs exited Orlando’s loss in Chicago during the third quarter after 20 minutes with what the Magic initially labeled a right knee strain, writes Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. The severity is not yet known.

Coach Jamahl Mosley said Suggs will be reevaluated once the team returns home.

“He fights his tail off to get back with us,” Mosley said. “Hopefully it’s not bad.”

Suggs had just returned after missing seven games in December with a left hip contusion and previously sat out five games earlier in the season following left knee surgery.

His importance is hard to miss. Suggs owns Orlando’s best on-off impact this season, posting a plus-10.1 net rating, while the Magic are minus-3.7 when he’s off the floor.

That trend showed up again Friday, as Orlando outscored Chicago by 15 points with Suggs on the court but still lost the game by seven.