Vassell searching to regain rhythm after lengthy layoff
Devin Vassell’s eagerness to return from knee surgery has given way to the harsh reality that it could take him a while to return to form.
“He doesn’t have his rhythm, and he’s having a tough time getting it back,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
Vassell matched his season low with six points in the Spurs’ 102-90 loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday night at the AT&T Center. In 33 minutes as a starter, he missed 8 of 10, including both of his 3-point attempts.
It was his just his second game this season with under 10 points and his first since he scored six in a 37-point loss at Golden State on Nov. 14.
Vassell enters Tuesday’s game against Orlando averaging just 12.8 points per game in his four games since returning from knee surgery that forced him to miss nearly two months. In that span he’s shooting 38.2 percent from the field and only 25 percent from beyond the arc on 6.0 attempts per game.
In his 29 games before his chronically sore left knee sidelined him, Vassell was enjoying a breakout season, averaging 19.4 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the floor and 40.4 percent from distance on 7.0 attempts.
“I think he’s a little frustrated that his game didn’t just pick up where it left off, so it’s going to take him a little bit longer to feel comfortable,” Popovich said.
With so many scoring options — Keldon Johnson (foot), Jeremy Sochan (knee) and Tre Jones (NON-COVID illness) — out with minor ailments, the Thunder focused defensively on stopping Vassell.
“When he was driving, they were definitely locked in on not letting him get to that mid-range that he’s comfortable taking,” Spurs guard Devonte’ Graham said. “That probably threw him off a little bit.”
Vassell’s teammates expressed confidence that he will snap out of his shooting slump soon.
“He was out for what two months?” center Zach Collins said. “If you’re out two or three games, trying to get back into a rhythm is tough. Being out for a couple months is always hard . ... I don’t think anybody’s worried about him. What we do worry about is just going easy on himself mentally, making sure he’s not beating himself up. Because it takes time.”
Wesley supported after tough night
Rookie Blake Wesley received some sage advice from the team’s veterans after a clunky performance Sunday night.
In a season-high 30 minutes off the bench, Wesley had a team-high six assists. But he also went 1 of 12 from the field, scoring his only points on a put back with 19.2 seconds left in the game; committed two turnovers, including dribbling the ball off his foot; and fouled Oklahoma City’s Lindy Waters at the 3point line in a key spot of the second quarter.
“Let it go,” Graham said when asked what he would tell Wesley after such a tough outing.
On a positive note, Graham said it was a good that Wesley kept firing away against the Thunder.
“We all go through it,” Graham said. “But he kept shooting, which is a good thing. He didn’t go 0-for-5 and just stop shooting.”
Wesley wasn’t the only Spurs rookie who had a tough night. Guard Malaki Branham was forced to leave the game in the first quarter with a sore right shoulder.
Jayhawks defeat costly for Graham
Graham’s wallet took a hit with his alma mater, Kansas, losing to Texas 76-56 in the Big 12 finals on Saturday.
“That one hurt,” he said. “I owe some people money, too. It’s good to lose right now. We’re gonna make the big one.”
Even after getting blown out by the Longhorns, Kansas will start defense of its NCAA
Tournament championship in a familiar spot on the bracket, as a No. 1 seed.