Center Deandre Ayton is averaging 14.2 points and 10.0 rebounds ... Truth be told, none of us stand in the player’s shoes. We do not know what’s going on in a player’s body or mind.

Notably, Ayton’s production has come at a time when Portland is in the midst of rebuilding, adjusting to life post-Damian Lillard and integrating their younger core. While Ayton has been a key ...

Donovan Clingan replaced Ayton and scored a career-high 21 points in 21 minutes. Ayton is averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 starts this season, his second in Portland.