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Josh Lewenberg: In just 48 games, Mamu already has more win shares (3.6) than any Raptors free agent signing since Biyombo more than a decade ago. The lowest of bars, but imagine where this team would be without him, especially in light of Poeltl's injury. Another gem tonight (16 pts in 20 mins)
Law Murray: Darko Rajakovic has ruled out Immanuel Quickley (back) for tonight vs Clippers. Garrett Temple and Sandro Mamukelashvili are available. And if you can type that on your iPhone with no typos, respect.
Josh Lewenberg: A few changes to the Raptors’ injury report for tonight’s game vs the Clippers. Mamu (illness) has been upgraded to probable and Battle (ankle) has been ruled out. Barrett, Poeltl and Walter are out. Quickley still questionable.
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![When you’re a second rounder on a two-way [contract], …](https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/gcdn/content-pipeline-sports-images/sports2/nba/players/1060351.png?format=png8&auto=webp&quality=85,75&width=140)
Naturally, Mamukelashvili didn’t feel like he had the luxury of playing through mistakes. He told himself that he needed to be perfect, an unrealistic expectation for any player or person to have of themselves. “It’s been tough because of the position I was in,” Mamukelashvili told TSN. It’s not like you have a lot of chances to make a mistake. When you’re a second rounder on a two-way [contract], you’re such an easy person to move. If they like somebody else, you’re the first one gone… I was hard on myself because I put a lot of work in and nothing came easy for me.”
Keerthika Uthayakumar: Sandro Mamukelashvili was a team-high +27 tonight. 13 points, 12 rebounds & 8 assists. He was 2 assists away from becoming the first player in Raptors franchise history to record a triple-double off the bench.
Josh Lewenberg: Darko on Sandro: “His best quality is that he’s an amazing human being and his biggest weakness is he’s an amazing human being. He cares so much… Sometimes guys that have that mentality tend to be a little bit too hard on himself. If they miss a shot, they beat themselves up”
There is a calculated effort by the coach to make his players share an observation: Hey, look at this freaking maniac. If it’s all X’s and O’s without energy, work will feel like a chore. If it’s emotion without on-court specificity, nothing will be learned. “He’s definitely the leader. The best thing is he knows he is a leader, but he allows the coaching staff to be leaders as well, and to help you in different situations,” Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “And the players, everybody’s a leader. … Everybody has a voice (on) this team. That’s the best thing. You’re not shutting everyone out and saying I’m the guy, but allowing everyone to express themselves and be open.”
Josh Lewenberg: Collin Murray-Boyles has been added to the Raptors’ injury report with an illness - he’s questionable for tomorrow’s game in Cleveland. Mamu and Agbaji are also questionable. Mogbo is on G League assignment.
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As spectacular as Victor Wembanyama's start to the season has been, a friend and former teammate believes the best is yet to come for the Spurs star. "I think he's just getting started," Toronto's Sandro Mamukelashvili said. "He's figuring it out," the center/forward added. "Imagine once he figures it out."
Tom Orsborn: Asked if he was looking forward to seeing former teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili tomorrow night when the Raptors come to town, Victor Wembanyama joked, “Of course. Although he is not looking forward to seeing us.” The Spurs will be favored to beat Toronto and improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2017-18.
HoopsHype: Mamukelashvili said Georgia would have beaten France with Wemby on the team too. We have a follow-up on this developing story from Mamu: "(Wemby) didn't answer my call. I'm still heartbroken about it because I wanted to tell him (...) If you're watching this, hit my line, Vic."
