Days after Mitch Johnson played coy about Devin Vassell's return from injury, the San Antonio Spurs' guard announced that he plans to return to the lineup.
Devin Vassell has missed the last 13 games for the San Antonio Spurs, and the team has gone 8-5 during that span, respectable, although they have struggled from deep.
Of course, it didn't help that they were missing one of their best volume shooters. Vassell is averaging a cool 15 points this season on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range, although unlike both Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, he is not as susceptible to hot or cold streaks, instead being the steady hand from deep that the Spurs have needed.
It remains to be seen what kind of minutes restriction--if any--Vassell will be on as he returns from his thigh injury. As the Spurs prepare to take on the New Orleans Pelicans, Vassell is working to pick up where he left off.
Spurs Get Devin Vassell Back From Injury#
Vassell, unfortunately, has battled the "injury-prone" label his entire career. Only once has he played in 70 or more games, and this season, he will struggle to hit the 65-game threshold required for individual awards. Of course, he isn't an All-NBA caliber player, but he is a key starter on a team with title hopes.
"Injuries are injuries, man, and they suck," said Vassell. "I talked about it at the beginning of the season. I wanted to pretty much play every game. But when an injury like that happens, and with how the season has been and stuff like that, you know, with an injury like that, take your time, try to get back because you don't want to come back and then sit out again because it starts nagging you or this and that. So I've been getting some good workouts in with my guys, and I just feel good. I'm ready to go."
Being "ready to go" is key, as the Spurs have exercised caution with injuries all season, especially with Victor Wembanyama.
Coming off two days of rest and playing a putrid New Orleans Pelicans team, the Spurs should be able to allow Vassell to get his sea legs back without pushing the issue. Expect Vassell to play sparingly in the next game.
"Whether I start, whether I come off the bench, I just want to be back playing," he added. "You know, it's probably going to be a minute restriction, and we'll just see how that goes."