Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan has shot 38% from three-point range on 3.5 attempts per game over his last 32 appearances, converting 43 threes during a stretch that has reshaped his offensive profile and Portland’s half-court spacing.
Clingan entered the NBA as a rebounder and rim protector with limited perimeter involvement. His game log from earlier in the season showed significantly lower three-point volume and efficiency. The 32-game sample represents the most productive perimeter stretch of his professional career.
38% on 3.5 attempts per game puts Clingan well above average for shooting centers
Clingan’s 38% mark places him above the league average for frontcourt players attempting multiple threes per night. The volume indicates a defined role within Portland’s offense rather than occasional spot-up opportunities. Opposing centers now must defend him beyond the free-throw line, pulling rim protectors out of the paint and opening driving lanes for Portland’s guards.
He posted 23 points in a win over Phoenix during the stretch, one of multiple double-digit scoring games. His box scores over the period include several double-doubles, combining traditional rebounding production with the spacing his shooting creates.
Clingan maintaining rim protection and rebounding alongside perimeter shooting
The three-point development has not come at the expense of Clingan’s interior production. His season averages include consistent rebounding and shot-blocking numbers that remain central to his defensive value. That combination separates him from traditional floor-spacing centers who sacrifice interior presence for perimeter shooting — opponents face a defender who contests at the rim and a scorer who punishes drop coverage from deep.
How Clingan’s three-point volume changes Portland’s offensive structure
At 3.5 attempts per game, Clingan’s perimeter positioning is a consistent feature of Portland’s half-court sets. When he occupies space beyond the arc, the opposing center must follow, reducing the help defense available on drives. The 43 made threes over 32 games have established enough credibility that defenders cannot sag off him, meaning the spacing benefit exists on every possession regardless of whether he takes the shot.