The Orioles still believe that 2014 fourth-round draft pick Pat Connaughton has more promise throwing fastballs than shooting 3-pointers, but Connaughton’s performance in the Portland Trail Blazers’ regular-season opener Wednesday night proved that his NBA career still has life.
Connaughton, 24, opened his third NBA season by scoring a career-high 24 points in Portland’s 124-76 blowout victory over the Phoenix Suns, making nine of 14 shots, including four of seven from 3-point range while playing 32 minutes.
It was unquestionably the best game of Connaughton’s NBA career. And even though it came with starting shooting guard CJ McCollum unavailable serving a one-game suspension, it provided a glimpse of the increased playing time Connaughton could garner this season, which would further place his professional baseball career on the back burner.