Malaki Branham News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Out Tuesday Branham (shoulder) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Magic, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return against Oklahoma City Branham has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against Oklahoma City due to a shoulder injury, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Impact Branham briefly returned to Sunday's game after departing with a shoulder issue, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the matchup during the second quarter. He logged zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist in six minutes prior to his departure, and it's unclear whether he'll be available Tuesday against Orlando.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Sunday Branham (back) is not listed in the injury report for Sunday's game against the Rockets and is expected to start, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Impact Branham missed Saturday's loss against the Rockets but should be fine to play Sunday in the second leg of the Spurs' current back-to-back. Branham should be in the starting lineup, a role he's had in his last 11 appearances. He's averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field in that span.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Branham (back) is out for Saturday's matchup against the Rockets.

Impact Branham will be missing his first game since Dec. 12, and the Spurs are quite shorthanded with Keldon Johnson (foot), Devin Vassell (knee) and Doug McDermott (thumb) shelved as well. More minutes could be in store for Devonte' Graham, Blake Wesley and Keita Bates-Diop.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Saturday Branham is questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Rockets with a low-back contusion, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Impact Branham was recently battling a hip issue but is now on the injury report with a back contusion. The rookie has started 11 straight games and is averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists during that stretch, but he's struggled offensively over the Spurs' past two contests, totaling just 12 points (6-15 FG). Devin Vassell (rest) has already been ruled out, while Romeo Langford (thigh) is also questionable, so Blake Wesley could be in store for a major offensive role if Langford and Branham join Vassell on the sidelines.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Thursday Branham (hip) will be available for Thursday's contest versus the Pacers, Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Malaki Branham Shootaround vs Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | 3.2.23

MARCH 2, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Picks up questionable tag Thursday Branham (hip) sports a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game versus the Pistons.

Impact Branham departed Tuesday's game versus the Jazz prematurely due to a hip injury and could not rejoin the action after logging 21 minutes. His status for Thursday remains up in the air, but the team should provide further clarification ahead of the opening tipoff.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out for remainder of game Branham won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Jazz due to a hip injury, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Impact Branham recorded four points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes before exiting Tuesday's game. Devonte' Graham and Blake Wesley are candidates to see extended minutes in his absence. Branham's status for Thursday's matchup with Indiana is uncertain.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores team-high 23 points Branham provided 23 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes during Thursday's 142-116 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact The Spurs were without Tre Jones (foot), Devin Vassell (knee) and Romeo Langford (thigh) again, so Branham drew an eighth straight start and led the team in scoring. During his recent string of starts, the rookie guard is averaging 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals-plus-blocks in 33.0 minutes per game. As long as the aforementioned trio remains sidelined, Branham figures to have a prominent role in San Antonio's offense, and he may have proven himself enough to remain a critical rotation piece even when those players return to full strength.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

"Feeling good, being aggressive & looking for my shot" Malaki Branham | San Antonio Spurs | 2.23.23

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Drops 23 points in loss Branham produced 23 points (10-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 120-110 loss to the Hornets.

Impact For the second game in a row, the first-round rookie out of Ohio State caught fire from the field to turn in another noteworthy scoring performance. Branham also accented the scoring with useful contributions across the box score, and he's now averaging 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 treys and 0.9 steals in 32.7 minutes while starting each of the past seven games. While those numbers would make Branham an automatic pickup in just about every format, he's been helped by the Spurs being without multiple key contributors during that stretch. He's also shot 49.5 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, well above his season-long rates (44.5 percent, 31.5 percent). San Antonio could get all of Tre Jones (foot), Devin Vassell (knee) and Romeo Langford (thigh) back for their first game out of the All-Star break or soon thereafter, and while Branham has likely earned himself a rotation spot at this point, he'll be a candidate to see his minutes get reduced.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Young Spurs want to get where Cleveland is now: What they're saying about the Cavs Malaki Branham and the Spurs got some encouragement from Darius Garland and the Cavs after Monday's game.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • CLEVELAND.COM

Solid in sixth straight start Branham registered 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two assists, two steals and one rebound across 29 minutes during Monday's 117-109 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact The teenage rookie continues to hold his own in a starting role for the rebuilding Spurs. Branham has started six straight games and scored in double digits in five of them, averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 boards, 2.5 assists and 2.2 threes over that stretch. He could head to the bench after the All-Star break if the likes of Romeo Langford (thigh) are healthy, but the team has nothing to lose by giving Branham all the responsibility he can handle over the final weeks of the season.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles from field Saturday Branham supplied 10 points (4-15 FG, 2-8 3Pt), six rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes during Saturday's 125-106 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Branham has been turning heads with his play of late, but as often happens with rookies, he's also going to deliver subpar performances occasionally. This was a woeful outing for the former Ohio State product, but he's been playing well as a starter in recent weeks, scoring at least 15 points in three of his last five appearances with the first unit. He's averaging 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists across six February appearances.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes for career-high 27 points Branham racked up 27 points (8-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 7-10 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 43 minutes during Friday's 138-131 double-overtime loss to the Pistons.

Impact Branham ended with a career-high 27 points in the loss, scoring at least 20 points for the third time in his past five games. However, despite the uptick in offensive production, Branham remains outside the top 140 over the past two weeks, highlighting the fact he offers very little outside of scoring. The Spurs are clearly looking to the future, meaning Branham is likely to have a sizeable role ROS. With that said, there are a number of key pieces yet to return and so managers may want to temper their expectations moving forward.

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Decent as starter in loss Branham ended with 15 points (6-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt), five rebounds and four assists across 32 minutes during Monday's 128-104 loss to Chicago.

Impact The rookie out of Ohio State has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a woeful season for the Spurs, and he has scored at least 15 points in three games in a row. He's started the last two contests due to the absence of Tre Jones (foot), and there's a chance he might remain in the lineup when San Antonio takes on Toronto on Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores career-high 26 points Branham ended Friday's 137-125 loss to Philadelphia with 26 points (11-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal across 35 minutes.

Impact The 26 points were a new career high for the rookie. The 20th overall pick made his sixth career start as the Spurs were without Tre Jones (foot) and Jeremy Sochan (back). Branham was coming off a 22-point game Wednesday with five assists and three triples, so he's making a strong case for coach Gregg Popovich to keep looking his way. If the Spurs are sellers at the trade deadline, Branham is one of a number of Spurs who could benefit.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steps into starting role Branham is in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus Philadelphia.

Impact Branham will replace Tre Jones (foot) in the starting five Friday. The rookie guard is averaging 3.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20.4 minutes across his previous five games starting this season.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former Ohio State G Malaki Branham Has Career-Best Night for Spurs San Antonio Spurs rookie and former Ohio State Buckeyes guard Malaki Branham lived up to his first-round billing on Wednesday night.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Records season-high 22 points Branham accumulated 22 points (9-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five assists and one rebound across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 119-109 loss to the Kings.

Impact Branham made all three of his field goal attempts in the first quarter and entered the break with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go along with three assists. He continued his efficiency into the second half, going 4-for-6 from the field en route to a career-high scoring total. The five dimes also tied a season high for Branham and tied Keldon Johnson for the team lead. Though the rookie first-round pick received major playing time Wednesday, he had reached 26 minutes just once in his past 12 games, so fantasy managers should temper expectations for Branham moving forward.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to second unit Branham will not start in Saturday's game against the Suns.

Impact Branham drew the start Thursday with Jeremy Sochan (quadriceps) sidelined but will slide to the bench with Sochan active. In 30 appearances off the bench, Branham has averaged 7.8 points, 1.8 assists and 1.6 rebounds over 19.6 minutes.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Thursday Branham will start for the Spurs on Thursday, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Impact Branham will make his fifth start of the season Thursday, replacing Jeremy Sochan (quadriceps) in the starting lineup. Branham is averaging 3.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists as a starter in his career.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up 12 points off bench Branham chipped in 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 22 minutes during Friday's 144-113 loss to the Warriors.

Impact Branham has settled in as a reliable option off the bench for the Spurs, proving he belongs in the NBA with some strong performances of late. He's scored in double digits in four of his last five games, attempting at least eight shots four times in that stretch as well. The rookie is averaging 7.2 points across 19.4 minutes per game overall in his inaugural season.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores empty 12 points in loss Branham chipped in 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist across 25 minutes during Monday's 121-113 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Branham scored in double figures for a third straight game, continuing what has been a decent stretch of games. His role has materialized into one that is somewhat consistent, having played at least 25 minutes in three of his past five games. Unfortunately, outside of some scoring upside, there isn't a lot there in terms of tangible production. He is worth a look in deeper formats, although he presents more as a short-term option only.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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