Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images The battered Spurs head to Portland to battle the Blazers. It’s been a decade – er – five days since the San Antonio Spurs last played. After a clutch 121-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs got some much-needed time off before heading west for a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. They’ll travel without some key players in their rotation. Rookie sensation Stephon Castle and key bench players Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, and Zach Collins will all miss the game on Friday night. Portland also has an extensive injury report that includes key players like DeAndre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and Matisse Thybulle. These two beat-up teams will face each other for the second time this year. San Antonio prevailed in the first matchup 118-105, led by Johnson’s 17-point, 11-rebound performance off the bench. The Spurs got good play from their bench in that game and will need those players to step up with so many players absent once again. San Antonio Spurs (12-12) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (8-16) December 13th, 2024 | 9 PM CT Watch: FanDuel Southwest | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Spurs Injuries: Stephon Castle – Out (left), Zach Collins – Out (low back), Keldon Johnson – Out (left calf), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Tre Jones – Out (shoulder) Trail Blazers Injuries: DeAndre Ayton – Questionable (illness), Donovan Clingan – Questionable (knee), Bryce McGowens – Out (G League), Justin Minaya – Out (foot), Duop Reath – Doubtful (low back), Matisse Thybulle – Out (ankle), Robert Williams III – Questionable (concussion protocol) What to watch for Testing the Spurs’ depth The Spurs will look to their depth for help with four rotation players on the injury report. Expect Charles Bassey, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham to get plenty of playing time against the Blazers. Portland is 5th in the NBA in bench scoring (39.5 points per game), so getting good minutes from that group will be key when the starter needs a spell. A reason for optimism: both Wesley and Branham had good games the last time these teams faced off. Branham had 17 points and hit three triples, while Wesley had 10 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals off the bench. Starters sans Castle Spurs coach Mitch Johnson will have some lineup decisions to make without Castle. The easiest substitution would be to put Vassell in the starting lineup as his replacement. However, you could also argue that his scoring punch could be useful off the bench, and Jeremy Sochan can bring some defensive prowess to replace what Castle brings to the first five. With Vassell and Sochan starting to get back into a rhythm, the Spurs will likely need to lift their minutes restrictions to make up for injuries elsewhere. Starting strong San Antonio has not opened games well over the last week or so. They’ve lost four of their last five first quarters. The defense has been a big issue during that stretch, as the Spurs are giving up 34.8 first-quarter points in the last five games. A late, west coast game is usually a recipe for disaster for slow-starting teams. San Antonio has to find a way to come out of the gates strong and set a tone for the rest of the game.