Devin Vassell, the San Antonio Spurs wing, is on track to make his season debut as soon as Saturday, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania. Vassell, who has missed the Spurs’ first eight games of the season following offseason foot surgery, is expected to play during San Antonio’s upcoming five-game homestand, starting with the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The team confirmed that Vassell has been cleared for all basketball activities, a significant step in his recovery.
Vassell’s Injury and Recovery
Vassell has not played since March 29, when he was sidelined due to a stress reaction in his right foot, causing him to miss the final eight games of the 2023-24 season. Initially, Vassell had hoped to avoid surgery, but the decision was ultimately made for him to undergo the procedure during the offseason. His return will be a welcome boost for the Spurs, especially after they recently lost starting power forward Jeremy Sochan to a left thumb fracture. Sochan, who was having a breakout season, underwent surgery earlier this week and will be out indefinitely.
Vassell’s Impact on the Spurs’ Struggles
The San Antonio Spurs have started the season 3-5, struggling with one of the league’s worst offenses. Vassell’s absence has been a key factor in their scoring woes. Last season, Vassell was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game with 57.8% true shooting. His ability to score and run the pick-and-roll was crucial for the Spurs’ offense, and his return is expected to ease some of the pressure on Victor Wembanyama, the franchise player, whose efficiency has dipped in his second season.
Vassell’s Shooting and Spacing Boost
One area where Vassell’s return will have an immediate impact is San Antonio’s 3-point shooting. The team has struggled with spacing so far this season, converting only 32.1% of their 3-point attempts, ranking among the bottom in the league. Additionally, their catch-and-shoot 3-pointers have been especially poor, at just 30.7% — the worst in the league. Vassell’s catch-and-shoot ability, which was impressive last season (making 39.5% of such shots), will provide the Spurs with much-needed shooting help. He shot 43.2% from deep the season prior, further solidifying his value on the perimeter.
Defensive Contributions and the Sochan Void
Defensively, Vassell will also be key in filling the gap left by Sochan’s injury. While Vassell has been a solid defender, his impact on this end of the floor will need to step up if he is to replace what Sochan brought to the team. The Spurs will be hoping Vassell can continue to grow defensively, especially in helping to mitigate some of the loss on that side of the ball.
What to Expect from Vassell’s Return
Once Vassell is fully healthy, he could ease into the starting lineup, potentially replacing rookie Stephon Castle, who filled in for Sochan in Wednesday’s game. Mitch Johnson, who is currently acting as the coach in Gregg Popovich’s absence, could experiment with different rotations. Vassell’s return should provide a much-needed spark to the offense, improve spacing, and help alleviate some of the pressure on the Spurs’ key players, including Wembanyama.
As the Spurs look to turn their season around, Devin Vassell’s return could be the catalyst that helps the team recover from its early-season struggles and push toward a playoff spot.
