SAN ANTONIO — With the San Antonio Spurs dealing with players in and out of the lineup due to injuries, center Sandro Mamukelashili is seeing his minutes spike and his efforts on the floor aren't going unnoticed.
"He stayed ready, and he came in, and he was Mamu," Zach Collins said. "He’s a guy who just stays ready."
Mamu's minutes have been limited to 7.7 per game but against the Nov. 17 game against the Kings at home, he took advantage of the increased time.
He logged 12 minutes and scored a season-high six points, handed out three assists, and grabbed three rebounds.
"I’m so happy for him," Collins said. "He obviously was playing great for us last year and this year. Just the way the lineups were working and what coaches are doing, he through no fault of his own, kind of fell out of the lineup."
Outside of the box score, Collins enjoys having the burly big man at his side.
Listed at 6-9 and 240 pounds, Mamu uses his strength and aggressiveness to make things happen positively on the court for San Antonio.
Especially when things are not clicking on the offensive side for the Spurs.
"He plays so aggressively. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he’s so strong, and when he drives that straight line drive, he hits you in the chest, you feel it," said Collins. "That’s a very valuable thing to have. A couple of times tonight, our offense wasn’t executing, the play broke, and we just swung it to him, and he attacked the rim and got some free throws, got some reach in fouls, put pressure on the defense, it was great.”
Against the Grizzlies on Saturday, the Spurs called on Mamu again. He logged 11 minutes and recorded five points, one assist, and two rebounds.
After the Spurs signed him last season on March 3, 2023, he made an immediate impact. In 19 games last season, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.3 minutes. The Spurs rewarded him by re-signing the forward this past off-season.
And with Mamu always at the ready, the Spurs can rely on him no matter when they call on him.
"Super happy for him," Collins said.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5