San Antonio Spurs put on an incredible display of teamwork and skill on Thursday evening to defeat Portland Trail Blazers with an impressive final score of 118-105 despite missing head coach Gregg Popovich due to health concerns. Key players Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham each scored 17 points to end a two-game losing streak for San Antonio Spurs.
Mitch Johnson, serving as acting head coach, noted there’s no set date for Popovich’s return; nonetheless, his absence did not dampen their spirits with notable performances by Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie, each scoring 14 points, as well as Victor Wembanyama contributing 12 points to their respective lineups.
Branham Exits with Ankle Injury
A concern for the Spurs was Branham’s unexpected exit due to an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter. On the Trail Blazers’ side, Deandre Ayton shone with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, along with Jerami Grant’s matching 21 points and Anfernee Simons adding 19 points to their team’s total.
Challenges Beyond the Arc and Scoring Support
The game highlighted the Trail Blazers’ struggle with three-point shots, landing only 9 out of their 32 attempts. The Spurs, meanwhile, faced the ongoing challenge of finding consistent scoring support behind Wembanyama, looking forward to Devin Vassell’s return from a foot injury to fill that role.
Momentous Plays and Strong Bench Impact
One pivotal moment came when the Spurs extended their lead with an effective three-point shot by Branham followed by an off-ball foul, which allowed Wembanyama to convert one free throw and extend his lead up to 68-62. Branham, Johnson, Collins and Blake Wesley’s contributions from their bench totalled an astounding 58 points overall in spite of injuries suffered by other team members.
Upcoming Games for Both Teams
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers hope to gain momentum against Minnesota while the Spurs look forward to continuing their dominance against Utah Jazz. Both teams intend on using strategies learned through previous encounters against their respective adversaries.