San Antonio Spurs’ guard, Malaki Branham, faced an early exit from the game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to an ankle injury. Various reports suggest that he won’t be returning to the game, and while the severity of the injury remains undisclosed by the team’s medical staff, there are indications that the starting point guard might miss some playing time.
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Branham, a former Ohio State Buckeye, left the game after contributing 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in just 7 minutes and 29 seconds of play. Unfortunately, he struggled on the field, shooting 1-of-5.
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Tom Orsborn, from the San Antonio Express-News, has shed some light on the situation, stating that Branham’s injury is not major. Despite this, the team has decided to play it safe and bench him for the remainder of the game to prevent any further damage to his ankle. Orsborn shared this information on his social media account.
San Antonio: The first half ended with the Grizzlies leading 47-40.
With Branham out, the Spurs had to reshuffle their lineup, with re Jones and Blake Wesley taking over the point guard duties for the rest of the game. The first half ended with the Grizzlies leading 47-40.
At halftime, Victor Wembanyama emerged as the leading scorer for the Spurs with 11 points, accompanied by five rebounds and four blocks. Keldon Johnson contributed six points. On the Grizzlies’ side, Desmond Bane led the scoring with 12 points, and Ja Morant tallied 11 points, three rebounds, and three steals.
The Spurs faced challenges finding their rhythm, shooting only 39% from the field and 50% from the free-throw line. Additionally, they committed 11 turnovers in the first half. These struggles reflect the broader issues for the team, as they entered the game with only one win in their last eight outings, resulting in an overall record of 5-27 and a last-place standing in the Western Conference.
The San Antonio Spurs, He Has Been a Consistent Presence
Reviewing Malaki Branham’s performance throughout the 2023-24 season with the San Antonio Spurs, he has been a consistent presence, not missing any of the 33 games so far. Averaging 9.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game, Branham has been a starter in 21 of the 33 matches.
Highlighting his standout performance, Branham’s best scoring output occurred against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 12, where he recorded 19 points, three rebounds, and two 3-pointers. It’s worth noting that Branham faced challenges in his rookie year in 2023, dealing with back and shoulder injuries that led to him missing 16 games. His last reported ankle injury dates back to Nov. 14, 2022.
In conclusion, the Spurs face an uphill battle in the current game against the Grizzlies without Malaki Branham. The team’s struggles on the court mirror their overall season performance, and the decision to bench Branham indicates a cautious approach to avoid exacerbating his ankle injury. Fans will be eager for updates on Branham’s recovery and hope for his swift return to the lineup.
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