Devin Vassell's much-needed hot streak is elevating the Spurs' offensive attack

The San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to eight consecutive games after their blowout victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. So many players are stepping up: Victor Wembanyama is producing like an MVP, Dylan Harper is shining in his starting role, and Devin Vassell has found his scoring rhythm after a slow start to the season.

Vassell has been one of the Spurs' most valuable players since they drafted him in 2022. He's played many roles, seamlessly transitioning from being a top-scoring option earlier in his career to a 3&D threat. His two-way production was spectacular in the playoffs, averaging 13 points while draining 37.8% of his threes and picking off 1.3 steals per game.

But he got off to a rough start during the 2026-27 campaign, struggling to find his offensive groove. Fortunately, those issues seem to have run their course. Over his last two games, he's averaged 17 points per night on a blistering 70% from distance with some strong defense.

The Spurs' offense needs Vassell's floor spacing ability

In the first eight games, Vassell couldn't connect from downtown, shooting an abysmal 25.7%. That mark is well below his standard; since the 2021-22 campaign, he has made at least 36% of his looks each season.

The Spurs' offense will never be at its best when a shooter of Vassell's caliber can't convert from long range. His ability to punish defenses beyond the arc helps open the floor for others like Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, and Victor Wembanyama.

In their recent wins against the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, he finally found his stroke. The veteran forward has done a great job mixing things up, hitting shots off the catch and creating some of his own looks with his dribble. This proficiency from downtown made a huge impact on the Spurs' offense, as they scored over 120 points in both games.

Additionally, those victories were some of their best three-point shooting displays of the season. They shot 50% against the Kings and 38.6% against the Trail Blazers. Vassell's return to form was a big reason behind those awesome performances.

Vassell's impressive defense is also fueling the Spurs' transition offense

Vassell hasn't just been torching opponents with his jumper in these last two games. He's also playing well on the defensive side of the floor, harassing ball-handlers along the perimeter and aggressively jumping passing lanes to get steals. This has fueled their dominant transition scoring attack, which is among the best in the league.

That impressive play on both ends is exactly why Mitch Johnson kept him in the starting lineup. He's doing what the Spurs need him to, and it's been a driving factor behind their recent hot streak. This team is simply at its best when he's consistently showing up in that 3&D role.

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