San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans welcomes first child, is expected to return Thursday

Sharpshooter Davis Bertans has missed the last two games due to personal reasons that were revealed to the public on Tuesday.

Since joining the team in 2016, Latvian forward Davis Bertans has steadily increased his efficiency with an expanded role under head coach Gregg Popovich. Using his lengthy frame and exquisite range from behind the three-point line, Bertans has become a reliable off-ball floor spacer with a great basketball mind and an overlooked skill set.

Because of the strides he has made thus far in the season, Bertans’ absence over the last two games concerned the devoted Spurs fan base. He was listed as out due to personal reasons with little information or context to his nonattendance.

Thankfully, it was reported that Bertans is not injured but has instead missed the last two games because of a major life event taking place in his household. According to beat reporter Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News, Bertans and his wife Anna welcomed their first child to the world just a few days ago.

Davis Bertans will miss his second consecutive game after his wife, Anna, gave birth to the couple's first child, a daughter.

— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) December 12, 2018

More from Air Alamo

• Spurs show remarkable poise against Bulls, unlike many fans
• Devin Vassell is the latest in the Spurs’ collection of silent assassins
• San Antonio Spurs: 5 Players to avoid in any LaMarcus Aldridge deal
• Is Gregg Popovich hiding Luka Samanic as a secret weapon?
• San Antonio Spurs News: More DeRozan trade talk from Chris Haynes

With a roster riddled with injury, losing Bertans would open a worrisome gap in Popovich’s rotation. His brief leave of absence will likely conclude on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, as his name was left off of the team’s injury report.

At this point, the Spurs injury report is down to just three final roster members on the sidelines: Pau Gasol (left foot soreness), Dejounte Murray (Torn right ACL) and Lonnie Walker IV, who is currently working with the Austin Spurs.

Through 24 games, Bertans is putting up 7.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in an average of 17.2 minutes. The 26-year-old is progressing as a spot-up shooter and has increased his three-point percentage to 44.9 percent on 3.7 attempts per contest.

It’s beautiful to watch the San Antonio Spurs family continue to grow, congratulations to the Bertans family!