Devin Vassell Embraces Tough Shot-Making as Spurs Navigate Injuries and Heavy Schedule

Devin Vassell has long been known in San Antonio for his shot selection, a mix of contested pull-ups and tough mid-range looks that many players would be advised to avoid. But for the fifth-year guard, those attempts are the product of repetition, confidence, and responsibility — not recklessness. His willingness to shoulder difficult possessions has become a defining trait during a season in which the Spurs have relied heavily on him.

The former No. 11 pick has steadily climbed the Spurs’ scoring hierarchy, emerging as one of the roster’s most reliable offensive options. Even as San Antonio weathers injuries to key contributors Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, Vassell has maintained his scoring presence, highlighted by a sharp shooting display in Cleveland that produced the team’s best first-half scoring performance of the campaign.

Yet that early eruption also illustrated the adjustments he faces as opponents tighten their coverages. After scoring 25 in the first half, he managed just three after the break as the Cavaliers shifted their defensive focus to cut off his rhythms and deny clean looks.

For Vassell, the challenge now is maintaining aggression while reading the game more effectively — finding the balance between hunting shots and impacting possessions when defenses crowd him.

1. Rising Scorer Adapts to Defensive Attention

Vassell’s willingness to take contested shots has been central to his development, and he makes no apologies for it. He acknowledges that many of his attempts would be considered poor choices for other players, but he trusts them because they are staples of his training. That confidence has helped him climb to second on the Spurs in scoring in multiple seasons, including the current stretch without Wembanyama and Castle. His 13 first-quarter points and 25-point first half in Cleveland underscored how quickly he can heat up. But that surge drew immediate attention after halftime, with the Cavaliers trailing his movements and forcing the ball out of his hands. Vassell said the shift was expected and emphasized that scorers must adjust when defenses key in on them. Despite tying a franchise record with seven first-half threes, his second-half slowdown showcased an area he’s targeting for improvement. He has spent time reviewing the tape, studying where he could have relocated, screened, or cut to create better options when the floor tightened. That self-evaluation is part of a broader approach to refining his offensive impact, particularly during periods when he becomes the focal point of opposing scouting reports.

2. Carrying the Load in San Antonio’s Injury Stretch

Vassell has averaged 16.5 points per game this season, ranking second on the team during the three weeks Wembanyama and Castle have been sidelined. With San Antonio reshuffling lineups and searching for consistent scoring, Vassell has absorbed a larger share of shot creation — and responded with some of the best stretches of his young career. His 28-point performance in Cleveland was his second-highest scoring total this year, trailing only his 35-point effort in Denver the day after Thanksgiving. He credits Spurs assistant coaches for helping him stay aggressive despite fluctuating opportunities within a restructured roster. With Castle expected to return for San Antonio’s next outing, Vassell anticipates more opportunities to attack defensive gaps created by additional scoring threats. While he is comfortable taking mid-range shots and “tough twos,” he plans to exploit whatever space defenses are willing to concede as the lineup returns to full strength. He remains adamant that if he has even a sliver of separation, the shot he chooses is a shot San Antonio can live with.

3. Navigating a Grueling Road Stretch

The Spurs are in the midst of one of the most demanding stretches of their schedule, with 10 of 11 games coming away from home. The team’s resilience will be tested further if they advance in the NBA Cup, which could send them to Las Vegas for semifinal and potentially championship games. Despite the heavy travel, Vassell insists the Spurs will avoid excuses. He notes that the grind of back-to-backs, flights, and packed arenas is part of the NBA reality, and San Antonio’s focus is simply to bounce back after each setback. As the Spurs prepare for their next matchup — and as their roster gradually regains key contributors — Vassell’s evolving role as a primary scorer and difficult-shot maker remains central to how the team navigates the coming weeks. Whether creating off the dribble or adjusting to increased pressure, he continues to view each challenge as an opportunity to grow into the offensive anchor San Antonio needs.