Devin Vassell had a game to remember (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs got a much-needed feel-good win in front of their home fans versus the Brooklyn Nets, 127-113. It was San Antonio’s first home win since Jan. 31 and it improved the team’s record to 26-34.
The game was tight in the first half. In the third period, Devin Vassell exploded for 17 points on 5-for-5 shooting from three-point range. The good guys led by as many as 25 points before coasting to victory.
The Spurs could have played a cleaner game against the lowly Nets (21-40) but the effort and excitement was great to see out of this bunch.
Stats: Spurs vs. Nets
spurs nets grades
Spurs vs. Nets – Final Grades
De’Aaron Fox
Offensively, Fox was rock solid. He shot well, made the right passes and limited his mistakes. He didn’t try to do too much, which has sometimes been an issue lately. Defensively, Fox could have been better. His energy was lacking and he got caught watching quite a bit.
Grade: B-
Devin Vassell
Vassell busted out of his slump in a big way. He notched a career-high 37 points on 14-for-20 shooting from the field, including 8-for-11 at the three-point line. He actually hit eight of his first nine from deep before missing two three balls late. With his shots flowing, Vassell also made better decisions with the ball and turned it up on the defensive end. That was great to see … although it’s a bit concerning that Vassell showed that he’s capable of more but only did it during a hot shooting outing.
Grade: A
Chris Paul
Can’t play a much more efficient game than Paul’s performance against Brooklyn. He scored 11 points while missing only one shot and handed out seven assists without turning the ball over. Paul was also a pest on defense and his wisdom was clearly felt on the court.
Grade: A-
Harrison Barnes
Barnes played his role well. He shot accurately from every distance, he played better defensive than usual and was also passing better than usual. The only downside was his two turnovers — the most he’s had in over a month.
Grade: B+
Bismack Biyombo
With as well as Biyombo is playing, it’s pretty crazy that he was out of a job to begin the season. His defense has been really good, he’s been gobbling up boards, he’s finishing with athleticism and his awareness on offense is surprisingly decent. The Nets had no answer for him in the middle. Biyombo is making a strong case to be retained next season.
Grade: A-
Stephon Castle
The good: Castle continues to flash his elite athleticism. His strong, smart drives are becoming difficult to stop. His playmaking was very good and he was conscientious on the defensive end. The rookie also plays with wisdom beyond his years. The bad: Castle missed all four of his free throws, four of his five three-pointers and turned it over three times. He was also wild enough at times that he looked like a rookie.
Grade: B
Keldon Johnson
Johnson’s efficiency was lacking but he continues to be a spark off the bench. I liked his work on the boards and his willingness to attack on offense. By attacking, he was opening up opportunities for himself and his teammates. Defensively, Johnson could have been sharper.
Grade: B
Jeremy Sochan
Sochan had a night to forget. He had a number of blown defensive assignments. He only hit one shot in his 22 minutes. His rebounding was sub par and he also fouled four times. Sochan felt like a liability out there, which is concerning since the Nets are a legitimately bad team.
Grade: D
Julian Champagnie
Offensively, Champagnie was fine. He might have been a hair too aggressive but most of his shots were open. He also had a couple smart passes. Defensively, Champagnie was a letdown. He was invisible on the glass and was a step slow in every other defensive category.
Grade: D+
Mitch Johnson
I liked that Johnson showed more emotion than normal. His troops seemed to respond well. I liked his rotation and the playcalling made sense. Johnson stuck with what had been a struggling starting lineup and the move paid dividends on this night.
Grade: B+