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San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham stepped up in the face of adversity, each delivering 17 points to secure a 118-105 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening. This marked their fourth matchup sans the guidance of their esteemed head coach, Gregg Popovich, who has been sidelined due to a recent health issue.

Acting head coach Mitch Johnson disclosed before the game that a timeline for Popovich’s return remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the Spurs remain undeterred, breaking free from their two-game losing streak thanks to additional contributions from Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie, who both tallied 14 points. Victor Wembanyama also made his presence felt with a 12-point performance.

Unexpected Incident: Branham’s Injury

An unforeseen circumstance arose when Branham abruptly left the court just two minutes into the last quarter due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double, with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant matched Ayton’s scoring while Anfernee Simons chipped in with 19 points.

Three-Point Struggles and Second Scoring Option for Spurs

The Trail Blazers struggled from downtown, making only 9 out of 32 attempts from beyond the arc. Simons managed to sink three of his nine three-point attempts, but the rest of the starting lineup had a meager 3-for-12 performance from long range.

The Spurs, on the other hand, have been grappling with finding a reliable secondary scorer behind Wembanyama. However, the anticipated return of Devin Vassell, who missed the first nine games due to a foot injury, is expected to address this issue.

Game-Changing Play and Impressive Bench Performance

With a narrow 64-62 lead, the Spurs managed to widen the gap to four points following a three-pointer from Branham and an off-ball foul on Grant that Wembanyama capitalized on by sinking a free throw. This pivotal play extended the Spurs’ lead to 68-62.

San Antonio’s bench stepped up in a big way, with Branham, Johnson, Collins, and Blake Wesley combining for 58 points. Given the injuries to key players like Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, Vassell, and now Branham, the Spurs’ reserves have been called upon to deliver elevated performances.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The Trail Blazers look to bounce back when they visit Minnesota on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Spurs will look to build on their newfound momentum when they host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Jamal Thompson is a versatile sports writer with a passion for covering the intersection of sports and culture. From the gridiron to the hardwood, Jamal’s work explores not just the game, but the broader societal impacts of sports. His insightful commentary and engaging storytelling have made him a key voice at 21Sports.com. When he’s not writing, Jamal can be found mentoring young athletes in his community.