The San Antonio Spurs secured a 118-105 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, despite the absence of coach Gregg Popovich for the fourth consecutive game. Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham both contributed 17 points each to lead the Spurs to victory.
Popovich has been away from the team since experiencing a medical episode before a game against Minnesota. Acting head coach Mitch Johnson mentioned that the team is uncertain about when Popovich will make his return. Despite his absence, the Spurs managed to snap a two-game losing streak with strong performances from Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie, who added 14 points each, and Victor Wembanyama, who contributed 12 points.
Unfortunately, Branham had to leave the game early in the fourth quarter due to a right ankle injury. On the other side, Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 21 points each, while Anfernee Simons added 19 points to their tally.
During the game, Portland struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 9 for 32 on 3-pointers. In contrast, the Spurs managed to capitalize on their opportunities and widen their lead. The return of Devin Vassell, who missed the first nine games due to injury, provided a much-needed boost to San Antonio’s offense.
With a thinning roster due to injuries to key players like Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, and now Branham, the Spurs relied on their bench players to step up. The combination of Branham, Johnson, Collins, and Blake Wesley proved to be crucial in securing the win for San Antonio.
Looking ahead, Portland will face off against Minnesota, while the Spurs are set to host Utah in their next games. Despite facing challenges with injuries, the Spurs are showing resilience and determination to compete at a high level in the league.
