The Spurs traded Branham, Blake Wesley and a 2026 second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Kelly Olynyk (heel) on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Branham is set to join Washington, though he isn't guaranteed significant playing time in a crowded backcourt. The 22-year-old appeared in 47 regular-season games with San Antonio last season, averaging 5.0 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from downtown across a career-low 9.1 minutes per contest.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Plays 17 minutes
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Branham closed with 11 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one steal across 17 minutes during Sunday's 125-118 victory over Toronto.
Playing in his third NBA season, Branham unfortunately took a big step back. He made 47 regular-season appearances, averaging 5.0 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 three-pointers in 9.1 minutes. However, he hit 40.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Branham notched 17 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists across 23 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Branham tallied double-digit points for the third time in the past five games, matching his season high with 17 points. As the Spurs get closer to the end of what has been a frustrating season, Branham has been able to force his way into the rotation. With that being said, his playing time has been far from consistent. Given his muted role this season, it's hard to see Branham carving out a regular spot for himself in the 2025-26 campaign.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Returns to parent club
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The Spurs recalled Branham from the G League's Austin Spurs on Friday.
Branham will return to the NBA after a brief stint in the G League. Branham is averaging 3.9 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.2 minutes across his 38 NBA appearances this season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Headed to G League
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The Spurs assigned Branham to the G League's Austin Spurs on Saturday, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Branham has received inconsistent playing time for San Antonio this season, so he should receive increased opportunities in the G League. However, Branham has yet to make an appearance for Austin this season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Quiet in return Wednesday
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Branham posted eight points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and two assists in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 139-130 win over the Wizards.
Branham returned from a two-game absence due to an ankle injury, playing limited minutes off the bench. He had been playing reasonably well prior to the injury but is now competing for minutes with a healthy Devin Vassell, as well as a confident Stephon Castle. Although Branham is likely to feature in the rotation on a regular basis, he would likely need an injury or two ahead of him to allow him to play significant minutes.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Iffy for Wednesday
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Branham (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Branham is in jeopardy of missing his third straight matchup due to a right ankle sprain. The 21-year-old has carved out a significant role off the bench through nine regular-season appearances, during which he has averaged 10.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 16.3 minutes per game.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Questionable for Monday
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Branham (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Kings, independent NBA writer Matthew Tynan reports.
Branham missed Saturday's game against the Jazz due to a right ankle injury, which now has his status in question for Monday. If he is ultimately unable to go, Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie could see more run.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Questionable to play Saturday
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Branham (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Jazz, Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio reports.
Branham suffered the injury in Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers, and the questionable tag isn't ideal. He was in the midst of his best game of the season, as he tallied 17 points and three assists across 22 minutes vs. Portland.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Out with ankle injury
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Branham won't return to Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right ankle injury, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports. He finished the night with 17 points (6-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and three assists in 22 minutes.
Branham was putting together a stellar performance and leading his team in scoring prior to departing. The severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed, but it could put his availability for Saturday's game against the Jazz in jeopardy.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Provides spark off bench
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Branham recorded 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and three rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 105-93 loss to the Thunder.
Branham's efficient shooting helped him tally 15 points for the second straight game while coming off the bench. The 21-year-old guard is averaging 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across four appearances this season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Not in starting five Thursday
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Branham is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Branham was competing for the fifth spot in the starting unit, but in the end, he'll come off the bench in this season opener. Julian Champagnie got the starting nod alongside Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Enters starting five
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Branham is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Branham will get a chance to start with the Spurs set to rest the majority of the starting unit. He fared well in limited chances Tuesday against the Heat, tallying 15 points in 13 bench minutes.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Good to go Tuesday
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Branham (undisclosed) will suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against Miami, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Branham didn't play in Saturday's preseason win over Utah due to undisclosed reasons but will return to action Tuesday. The 2022 first-round pick averaged 9.2 points and 2.1 assists in 21.3 minutes across 75 regular-season appearances (29 starts) last season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Held out of Saturday's game
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Branham (undisclosed) was unavailable and in street clothes in Saturday's preseason win over the Jazz, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Though it wasn't announced before the game, Branham was among the players held out from Saturday's contest. His next chance to play will come against the Heat on Tuesday.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Good to go
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Branham (concussion) is practicing with the team during training camp, Matt Guzman of SI.com reports.
Branham missed the Spurs' 2023-24 regular-season finale with a concussion, but he's been a full participant in training camp ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The guard figures to compete with Stephon Castle and Blake Wesley for the starting shooting guard spot while Devin Vassell (foot) is sidelined. Once Vassell is healthy, Branham should handle a significant role off the bench.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Lands in concussion protocol
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Branham has been ruled out for Friday's game against Denver and is unlikely to play Sunday versus Detroit, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Branham was recently dealing with a minor hip injury, but it appears he suffered a concussion during Wednesday's loss to the Thunder. He played just 20 minutes during that contest and snapped a streak of seven straight double-digit scoring performances. During that stretch, Branham started five of his seven appearances and averaged 15.6 points on 48.8 percent shooting in 30.4 minutes per game.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Branham is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Thunder due to a right hip contusion.
Branham has started in five consecutive matchups, averaging 16.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He hasn't missed a game since late January, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to suit up Wednesday due to his hip issue.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Pops for 22 against Philadelphia
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Branham supplied 22 points (8-15 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block over 44 minutes during Sunday's 133-126 double-overtime loss to the 76ers.
Making his fourth straight start in place of Devin Vassell (foot), Branham topped 20 points for the second time in that stretch, although he needed to play a career-high 44 minutes to do it. The second-year guard has taken on a larger role during this latest stint in the starting five, averaging 18.0 points, 3.3 threes, 2.5 boards and 2.0 assists in 36.5 minutes per game. Since Vassell is done for the year, Branham could maintain that level of production over the final week of the regular season.
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Spurs' Malaki Branham: Enters starting lineup
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Branham will start during Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Branham will return to the starting lineup for the first time since Mar. 9 due to Devin Vassell (foot) and Jeremy Sochan (ankle) being sidelined. In his last five starts, Branham has averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.8 minutes per game.
