Coach Gregg Popovich said Vassell will come off the bench during Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a minutes restriction, though he should be cleared for a full workload soon, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
Since returning from a three-game absence due to left adductor tightness, Vassell has operated off the bench, playing 26.8 minutes per game over the last four contests. Popovich said this is due to a minutes restriction but added that Vassell's limitations should be removed soon. Vassell has been thriving off the bench recently, averaging 21.5 points on 50.8 percent shooting during the recent four-game stretch, so it'll be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out once he's cleared for a full workload.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Continues to produce off bench
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Vassell chipped in 19 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three assists, one rebound and one steal in 26 minutes during Sunday's 132-120 loss to Denver.
After a recent three-game absence due to left adductor tightness, Vassell has come off the bench in each of his first three games back in action while head coach Gregg Popovich has featured Malaki Branham on the top unit. Vassell should eventually slot back into the starting five, but coming off the bench hasn't been overly detrimental to his fantasy value thus far. He's scored at least 18 points in his first three games back in action and is finding more freedom to operate as the go-to player in the second unit rather than being a complementary piece in the starting lineup.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Leads team in scoring Friday
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Vassell closed with 24 points (10-19 FG, 4-10 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 27 minutes off the bench during Friday's 118-112 loss to the Warriors.
Coming off the bench for a second straight game after missing the prior three with a groin injury, Vassell led the Spurs in scoring while attempting double-digit threes for the second time in 11 contests this season. The fourth-year wing only played 38 games in 2022-23 due to knee surgery and has already missed five games this season with groin issues, a worrying trend, but when he's been on the court, Vassell's proven to be a good fit alongside Victor Wembanyama. While his usage is down, Vassell's efficiency is up, and he's on pace to set career highs in field-goal shooting (49.0 percent) and three-point shooting (40.6 percent.)
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Scores 18 points off bench
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Vassell (groin) notched 18 points (6-15 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Wednesday's 109-102 loss to the Clippers.
Vassell came off the bench during his return from a three-game absence due to left adductor tightness. Despite some inefficient shooting, Vassell was able to rack up 18 points, finishing third on the team behind Jeremy Sochan (19) and Victor Wembanyama (22). Vassell should reclaim his starting spot during Friday's road matchup versus Golden State.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Coming off bench
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Vassell won't start Wednesday's game against the Clippers.
While Vassell will be active for Wednesday's tilt, he'll come off the bench and likely have his workload monitored following a three-game absence due to a groin injury. Malaki Branham will start at the shooting guard spot.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Says he'll play Wednesday
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Vassell (groin) said he'll play Wednesday against the Clippers, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Vassell will return after missing three straight games due to left groin soreness. The last time he returned from a multi-game absence, the Spurs elected to bring him off the bench, and he totaled just four points, two rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes in a loss to the Knicks on Nov. 8. A similar situation could happen again Wednesday, so fantasy managers should check in closer to the 8 p.m. ET tipoff to see if the team released an update on Vassell's expected workload.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Questionable for Wednesday
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Vassell (groin) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Clippers.
Vassell has missed three straight games due to left groin soreness but has a chance to return Wednesday. He was listed as doubtful for the team's previous contest, so it appears he's made at least some progress. However, even if Vassell is cleared, he may be subject to a minute restriction, so fantasy managers should proceed with caution.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Ruled out Monday
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Vassell (groin) will not play in Monday's game against the Clippers, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
This will be the third missed game in a row for Vassell, and his fifth missed game of the campaign. Julian Champagnie has been starting in his absence, and he has averaged 7.5 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers over his last two outings.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Unlikely to play Monday
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Vassell (groin) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Clippers, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Vassell will likely miss a third straight game due to left adductor tightness. Julian Champagnie has started the last two games in Vassell's absence, but Tre Jones and Malaki Branham are also candidates for increased roles if Vassell is sidelined again.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Remains out against Memphis
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Vassell (groin) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies.
Vassell will miss his second straight game Saturday due to left adductor tightness. Julian Champagnie replaced him in the starting lineup Friday. Vassell's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with the Clippers.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Won't play Friday
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Vassell has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento due to left adductor tightness, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Vassell started the last three games and averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 31.0 minutes per game. However, he's dealing with an adductor issue that will force him to miss at least one matchup. Friday's game is the first half of a back-to-back set, so it's not yet clear whether he'll be available Saturday against Memphis. Malaki Branham, Devonte' Graham and Doug McDermott are candidates to see increased run Friday.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Leads team in scoring Friday
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Vassell provided 29 points (8-16 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 7-9 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Friday's 117-110 loss to Minnesota.
Vassell paced the way offensively for the Spurs on Friday, but his strong performance was not enough, as the Timberwolves ultimately overcame a slow start and secured the win. The Spurs have been inconsistent this season, which is to be expected with such a young roster, but Vassell has stood out due to his scoring ability. Fully recovered from the groin problem that sidelined him for two games, Vassell has scored at least 20 points in three of his six games as a starter.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Returns to starting lineup
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Vassell is in the starting five for Friday's game versus Minnesota, independent NBA writer Matthew Tynan reports.
Vassell came off the bench in his first game back from an ankle injury but will likely reclaim his starting spot from Malaki Branham on Friday. Vassell has averaged 19.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 31.2 minutes across his previous five starting appearances this season.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Sees limited action in return
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Vassell ended Wednesday's 126-105 loss to New York with four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists over 12 minutes.
Vassell played a season-low 12 minutes after returning to action Wednesday from a two-game absence with a groin injury. The 23-year-old guard was initially not expected to play at all, so the Spurs likely wanted to play it cautiously in the blowout loss. Vassell will likely replace Malaki Branham in the starting lineup in San Antonio's upcoming contests.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Good to go Wednesday
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Vassell will play in Wednesday's game against the Knicks, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
After starting the day as doubtful, Vassell managed to participate in morning shootaround Wednesday and will give it a go after missing a pair of games with a left groin strain. Considering his initial doubtful status, it's possible Vassell ends up on a minutes restriction against New York.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Participates in shootaround
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Vassell (groin), who is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Knicks, participated in the team's shootaround, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
While it remains unlikely that Vassell will be able to play in Wednesday's matchup, he appears to be progressing in his recovery. He worked on his conditioning during a 4-on-4 session after practice Wednesday, and it's possible he's in the mix to return sometime this weekend.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Officially deemed doubtful
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Vassell (groin) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game versus the Knicks, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Vassell will likely miss his third straight game Wednesday due to a left adductor strain he suffered Nov. 2 at Phoenix. Malaki Branham should pick up another start in place of Vassell, whom head coach Gregg Popovich said is being considered day-to-day following a recent MRI.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Unlikely to play Wednesday
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Vassell (adductor) is unlikely to play Wednesday against the Knicks, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Vassell's official status for Wednesday's game is still to be determined, but coach Gregg Popovich is pessimistic about the 23-year-old's availability. Malaki Branham started in Vassell's place Monday.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Remains out
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Vassell (groin) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Pacers.
Vassell suffered the groin injury during Thursday's win over Phoenix and was initially expected to be out "a little while." However, over the weekend, the Spurs released an update saying Vassell is considered day-to-day. For now, it appears like Vassell has avoided a long-term issue, but he will miss both halves of San Antonio's first back-to-back this season. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in New York. In Vassell's absence, Malaki Branham should draw another start, while Tre Jones could see increased usage off the bench.
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Spurs' Devin Vassell: Considered day-to-day
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Vassell (groin) is unlikely to play in Sunday's game versus Toronto and will be considered day-to-day, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Vassell left Thursday's game versus the Suns early due to left groin tightness but doesn't appear to have suffered a long-term injury. Malaki Branham, Tre Jones, Devonte' Graham and Doug McDermott are candidates to receive extended minutes in his absence. If Vassell is unable to suit up Sunday, his next chance to do so will be Monday's matchup with Indiana.
