Devin Vassell Returns and Shines After Long Injury Layoff
- Devin Vassell was sidelined for seven months due to a stress fracture in his right foot.
- He made his season debut against the Utah Jazz while on a minutes restriction.
- Vassell’s return comes as the Spurs deal with multiple player absences and the absence of their head coach.
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, Devin Vassell, the San Antonio Spurs guard, played his first game of the season against the Utah Jazz after being sidelined for seven months due to a stress fracture in his right foot. His last appearance was on March 29 against the New York Knicks, where he scored 23 points in an overtime win. Vassell underwent surgery on June 26 after rehabilitation efforts for his injury failed. Acting head coach Mitch Johnson indicated that Vassell would not start in the game, implementing a minutes restriction to manage his return carefully. In addition to Vassell's absence earlier in the season, the Spurs are also missing other key players, including Jeremy Sochan, who is recovering from left thumb surgery, and Tre Jones, who is dealing with a sprained right ankle. The team is further impacted by the absence of head coach Gregg Popovich, who is recovering from an undisclosed medical episode.