Spurs 118-105 Trail Blazers (November 7, 2024) Game Recap

SAN ANTONIO – Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham each had 17 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Portland 118-105 on Thursday night in their fourth game without coach Gregg Popovich.

Popovich has been sidelined since suffering a medical incident Saturday before a home game against Minnesota. Before Thursday’s game, acting Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said the team was unsure when Popovich would return.

Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie each added 14 points to help the Spurs avoid a two-game exit. Victor Wembanyama had 12 points. Branham left two minutes into the fourth quarter after twisting his right ankle.

Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Portland. Jerami Grant also had 21 points and Anfernee Simons added 19.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: Portland was 9 for 32 on 3-pointers. Simons was 3-for-9 at 3s, but the rest of the starting lineup was 3-for-12.

Spurs: San Antonio has struggled to find a consistent second scoring option behind Wembanyama, but that should change with the return of Devin Vassell. Vassell missed the first nine games following offseason surgery for a stress reaction of the third metatarsal in his right foot.

Key moment

With Portland trailing 64-62, San Antonio extended its lead to four points after Branham made a three-pointer and Grant sent an off-ball foul shot that Wembanyama converted into a free throw. The play gave the Spurs a 68-62 lead.

Key statistics

Backups Branham, Johnson, Collins and Blake Wesley combined for 58 points. With team strength diminishing due to injuries to Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, Vassell and now Branham, the Spurs have been reliant on major contributions from more reserves.

Next

Portland is in Minnesota on Friday night. The Spurs host Utah on Saturday.

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