Remember when everyone was lauding Devin Vassell at the start of the season? He was flourishing in his role as the third/fourth option, but because of the injury situation on this team, things have changed. He hasn't. Fans are going to be emotional. I've been there, and I visit routinely. But we should also be rational when looking at the overall picture and not react like this after every bad game.
Devin Vassell is making ~28 million a year just to average...
13.7 points a game in 33 minutes..
— Spurs Legion (@SpursLegion) November 24, 2025
I get it. The Phoenix Suns beat the Spurs by the largest margin of any team so far when they broke the Silver and Black's opening five-game winning streak. They beat the guys by 12, and it was one of the most frustrating games to watch all season. Everyone wanted the team to get their lick back. It didn't happen, and that's a little maddening, but again, let's be rational.
Devin Vassell has been consistent the entire season
The first time these teams met, Dev only scored four points. So, there's something to be said about struggling against certain teams, but there weren't many bright spots on the entire squad. When they win, it's usually a product of their collective efforts. They lose the same way.
Julian Champagnie was 2-9 from deep. Luke Kornet scored zero points in 13 minutes in the second half. Kelly Olynyk played his worst game of the year. Jeremy Sochan put seven points on the board in 21 minutes and finished the game with a -17 in plus/minus. A lot went wrong.
Vassell's 17 points shouldn't be getting this kind of smoke. He was 4-4 from the free throw line and 4-7 from deep. His defensive assignment has gotten more difficult while being asked to shoulder a larger offensive workload. Stephon Castle usually guards the top perimeter players on opposing teams. He's had to do that more without Steph in the lineup.
Neither hope nor hate will make the former Seminole play like someone he's not. Your best bet is to just be supportive and root for the rest of the guys to come back from injury. When they get back on the floor, Dev gets to go back to doing what he does best.
This team is led by Victor Wembanyama first, De'Aaron Fox second, and then Castle. When Dylan Harper is in the game, he's also taking immense pressure off the surrounding cast because he's such a strong finisher, and you can't keep him out of the paint. Vassell is meant to find his role somewhere in the pecking order behind a lot of talent. It's the role he's best suited for, and he's good at it.