Spurs' Malaki Branham: Scores 15 points in loss to Denver
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Branham notched 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Sunday's 132-120 loss to the Nuggets.
Branham scored in double digits after two subpar outings as a starter, but he doesn't carry a lot of upside. Outside of the fact that the Spurs are struggling massively this season, Branham's inconsistent role, as well as his own inconsistent performances, limit what he can bring to the table in most fantasy formats.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Enters starting lineup
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Branham will join the starting five for Wednesday's matchup with the Clippers.
Branham is a surprise member of the starting five Wednesday, replacing Julian Champagnie -- who started four straight games -- despite Devin Vassell being active for the contest. In three starts this season, Branham is averaging 12.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 points over 25.8 minutes.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Efficient as starter
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Branham notched 16 points (8-9 FG), six rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes during Sunday's 123-116 overtime loss to the Raptors.
Branham joined the starting lineup for the first time this season with Devin Vassell (adductor) sidelined, and the 2022 first-rounder stepped up with his first double-digit scoring performance of the year. He also hauled in six rebounds, matching the third-highest mark of his career. Vassell is considered day-to-day, so it's not yet clear whether Branham's starting role will continue. However, he proved Sunday that he can perform well when given increased opportunities.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Starting Sunday
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Branham will start in place of Devin Vassell (adductor) in Sunday's game against the Raptors, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
The Spurs are viewing Vassell as day-to-day after he exited early in Thursday's win over the Suns, but Branham will likely be in store for at least two starts, as Sunday marks the front end of a back-to-back set. Branham started 32 games as a rookie but has played off the bench for his first five appearances of 2023-24, averaging 6.2 points, 2.2 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers in 16.4 minutes per contest.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Plays 20 minutes off bench
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Branham closed Thursday's 132-121 win over the Suns with three points (1-7 FG, 1-6 3Pt), one rebound, three assists and one block over 20 minutes.
Branham started the second half of Thursday's matchup after Devin Vassell (groin) exited the game, but the 2022 first-rounder was inefficient from the floor and unable to generate substantial production in the victory. Tre Jones was much more productive as a reserve, tallying 12 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and a steal in 28 minutes. Vassell is slated to miss time, which could lead to Branham taking on a starting role in the near future, but the latter will likely need to generate more production if he hopes to hold off Jones, Devonte' Graham and Doug McDermott.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Option picked up
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Branham had his third-year team option picked up Monday, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
This was mostly just a formality for the Spurs, but it keeps Branham locked up through the 2024-25 season. Branham is coming off a solid rookie season with averages of 10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 three-pointers per game.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Back to bench
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Branham won't start Wednesday's game against the Rockets, Andrew Lopez of ESPN reports.
Branham drew the starting nod last time out, with Devin Vassell resting, but with Vassell back in action, Branham will shift back to the bench.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Starting Monday
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Branham is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against Houston, Lachard Binkley of TheDreamShake.com reports.
Branham is set for his first start of the preseason. Taking the place of Devin Vassell (rest), Branham will be joined by Jeremy Sochan in a backcourt experiment Monday night.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Sharp in preseason opener
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Branham recorded 15 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block across 20 minutes during Monday's 122-121 preseason loss to Oklahoma City.
Branham showed a good blend of shooting success and downhill driving during the preseason opener. The 20-year-old averaged 10.2 points in 23.5 minutes per game with the Spurs last season, and he's a growth candidate on a San Antonio squad that lacks offensive punch on the wings.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Pours in 32 points
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Branham secured 32 points (12-24 FG, 3-6 3PT, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and a steal over 26 minutes of Wednesday's 109-99 win over the Lakers during Summer League.
After sitting out the Spurs' Summer League opener, Branham started Wednesday's tilt and posted a game-high 32 points. After appearing in 66 games (32 starts) with San Antonio last season and averaging 10.2 points on 23.5 minutes per game, Branham should continue to handle a hefty offensive workload in Summer League.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Scores team-high 21 points
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Branham contributed 21 points (8-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 115-94 loss to Phoenix.
The Spurs played with a 10-man rotation due to numerous injuries on the roster, and Branham started a second consecutive game with Keldon Johnson (foot) and Devin Vassell (knee) out. The Ohio State product has distinguished himself well in his first season, averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists over 63 games. Branham has also started 29 times during his rookie campaign.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Keeps streak alive
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Branham totaled 19 points (8-21 FG, 3-7 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Friday's 130-115 loss to Golden State.
Branham needed 21 shots to score 19 points, but he still posted a solid stat line across the board. Aside from ending just three rebounds away from recording a double-double, Branham keeps showing he can handle a starting role and reached the 15-point mark for the fourth straight outing. He's averaging 11.5 points per game since the beginning of March.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Will be available Sunday
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Branham (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Celtics, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Branham has been upgraded from questionable to available and will presumably garner an increased role with the Spurs still banged up. The rookie has started five of the last six contests, posting 11.5 point and 4.7 rebounds in 29.2 minutes during that stretch.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Questionable Sunday
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Branham is questionable for Sunday's game against Boston with lower back tightness, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Branham is at risk of missing his third game of the calendar year with a back injury. With Keldon Johnson (foot) and Romeo Langford (thigh) also questionable, Blake Wesley and Devonte' Graham could be thrust into larger roles.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Gets starting nod
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Branham is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies.
Branham will replace Tre Jones in the starting lineup Friday. Branham is averaging 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.5 minutes across his previous 19 starts this season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Scores 20 points off bench
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Branham chipped in 20 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 137-128 overtime loss to the Mavericks.
Branham looked good in his return to action after missing Tuesday's game with a shoulder injury. The rookie posted his seventh 20-point game of the season, three of those occurring as a reserve. Branham is averaging 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game since the All-Star break.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Good to go Wednesday
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Branham (shoulder) will play in Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Branham is available for the closing leg of the Spurs' back-to-back set Wednesday after missing Tuesday's contest with a right shoulder issue. He should be expected to take on a larger role Wednesday with Devin Vassell (knee) sidelined. In 31 games with Vassell inactive, Branham has averaged 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 24.6 minutes.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Questionable Wednesday
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Branham (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Dallas, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Branham sat out Tuesday's win over Orlando, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for the second half of the back-to-back set. He's been held below 10 points in four of his last five appearances, averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game during that time.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Out Tuesday
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Branham (shoulder) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Magic, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Branham suffered a right shoulder impingement Saturday, and with San Antonio playing for Ping Pong balls, the rookie might take his time coming back from this one. He should be considered questionable at best for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, so he's a risky guy to deploy in weekly settings. With Tre Jones (illness) and Romeo Langford (rest) set to join Branham on the sidelines Tuesday, Devonte' Graham will be getting all the run he can handle.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Available to play Thursday
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Branham (hip) will be available for Thursday's contest versus the Pacers, Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio reports.
Branham nabbed a questionable tag leading up to the contest after departing early Tuesday, but it appears the issue was relatively minor and won't cost him additional action. However, Branham will now have an additional contender for minutes in Devin Vassell, who figures to eventually retake a spot in the starting five. Even if that doesn't occur Thursday, Branham will presumably cede some minutes.
