SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham had 17 points each and the San Antonio Spurs beat Portland 118-105 on Thursday night in their fourth game without coach Gregg Popovich.
Popovich has been out since having a medical episode Saturday before a home game against Minnesota. Prior to the game Thursday, Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson said the team is unsure when Popovich will return.
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Portland Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara, left, collides with San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons (1) drives against San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija attempts to shoot as he is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan, left, and San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton (2) guards San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, left, speaks with Portland guard Anfernee Simons during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton (2) is called for a technical foul by referee Sean Corbin during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle, left, tangles with Portland Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins (23) and Keldon Johnson (0) tangle with Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (8) and Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant (9) and Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Blake Wesley, center, tangles with Portland Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson, left, and Dalano Banton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie added 14 points each to help the Spurs snap a two-game skid. Victor Wembanyama had 12 points. Branham exited two minutes into the fourth quarter after rolling his right ankle.
Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Portland. Jerami Grant also had 21 points, and Anfernee Simons added 19.
Trail Blazers: Portland was 9 for 32 on 3-pointers. Simons was 3 for 9 on 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 head in his right foot.
With Portland trailing 64-62, San Antonio was able to extend the lead to four points on a 3-pointer by Branham and off-the-ball foul on Grant that Wembanyama converted into a free throw. The play gave the Spurs a 68-62 lead.
Backups Branham, Johnson, Collins and Blake Wesley combined for 58 points. With the team’s depth thinning with injuries to Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, Vassell and now Branham, the Spurs have needed greater contributions from more of their reserves.
Portland is at Minnesota on Friday night. The Spurs host Utah on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Portland Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara, left, collides with San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons (1) drives against San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija attempts to shoot as he is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan, left, and San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton (2) guards San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, left, speaks with Portland guard Anfernee Simons during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Portland Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton (2) is called for a technical foul by referee Sean Corbin during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle, left, tangles with Portland Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Zach Collins (23) and Keldon Johnson (0) tangle with Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (8) and Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant (9) and Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Blake Wesley, center, tangles with Portland Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson, left, and Dalano Banton during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 118-105. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
