Grading the most impactful Spurs in their In-Season Tournament finale

Devin Vassell

Devin Vassell made another appearance off the bench as the team eased him back into the lineup after another stint on the sidelines with injury. Despite logging only 27 minutes against Golden State, he still notched an impressive 24 points. Throughout the contest, he consistently took and converted difficult shots, providing the Spurs with a solid backup option when their main actions fell through. His knack for making challenging jumpers is the trait that makes him the best scorer in San Antonio.

There is every reason to believe he will become the dominant player we saw at the start of the season once he returns to form. His offensive skills are crucial to the cohesion of the starting unit, though he must improve his attention to detail on defense. Vassell often gets caught overhelping and is partly responsible for the teamwide tendency to give up heaps of open three-pointers. While it is not solely on him to solve this issue, he would be immensely more valuable to the Spurs as a two-way threat.

Maintaining his health and managing his workload should be the primary focus for the Spurs right now. The absence of Vassell on the court all but ensures a loss for San Antonio. Friday night served as another emphatic testament to his importance to this rebuilding squad, and his performance versus Steph Curry and company showcased his immense impact on the team when their back is against the wall.

Grade: A