Devin Vassell
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Devin Vassell of the San Antonio Spurs is dealing with a groin injury.
The San Antonio Spurs have been without Devin Vassell since December 30, when he was ruled out due to an adductor injury. Vassell is an integral part of the Spurs’ success this season, with the team having a record of 4-2 since he was ruled out indefinitely.
Before the Spurs’ game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, coach Mitch Johnson told reporters that Vassell’s rehab is going well. He is with the team for the three-game road trip, which is a good sign.
However, Johnson didn’t share an exact timeline for the dynamic guard’s return. There’s uncertainty surrounding his recovery, though it’s understandable why the Spurs are being cautious.
“I don’t have a (timetable) for you or whatnot, but he’s had a really, really good stretch, and so we feel really good about that, and it’s good for him because he’s been having a heck of a year,” Johnson said, via Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News.
According to KSAT.com, an MRI showed guard Vassell suffered a left adductor strain against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 29. The Spurs didn’t share any other details about the injury, and there was no timetable for his return.
Julian Champagnie Stepping Up in Vassell’s Absence
With Devin Vassell out, the San Antonio Spurs have turned to Julian Champagnie to start at small forward in their last six games. Champagnie has repaid coach Mitch Johnson’s trust with a career-high game and two double-double performances.
In his last six games, Champagnie is averaging 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He’s shooting 46.2% from the field, 40.7% from 3-point range and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
Champagnie dropped a career-high 36 points in the Spurs’ 134-132 win over the New York Knicks on New Year’s Eve at the Frost Bank Center. He had a double-double on January 3 in their 115-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and on January 10 against the Boston Celtics.
The Spurs beat the Celtics, 100-95, to improve to 27-11 for the season. They are sitting second in the Western Conference standings and are just 4.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot.
Their next two games will be on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and their fourth head-to-head matchup with the Thunder this season. They are 3-0 against the defending champs so far.
Spurs Could Have An Incoming Vassell Issue
Devin Vassell is having a good season, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Vassell has turned into the San Antonio Spurs’ fourth option on offense behind Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
Cal Durrett of Air Alamo opined that the Spurs might have a problem with keeping Vassell in the future. Their roster will continue to be expensive, so at some point in the next year or two, the franchise might need to trade the 25-year-old player to create cap space.
“The Spurs will have to tighten their belt financially. They already did so by not extending Jeremy Sochan but could eventually have to let players such as Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson leave in free agency. Vassell may also eventually need to be traded in the name of cutting costs, though moving on from him could be trickier,” Durrett wrote.
Vassell is in the second year of a five-year, $135 million extension signed in the summer of 2024. He doesn’t have a player option for the final season.