During a 133-126 overtime victory Thursday over Minnesota, the Spurs’ roster was fully healthy for the first time all season, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.
“It felt like a big relief,” All-Defensive San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama said. “Even before the game, I think some of my teammates were still questionable. So we were like, ‘Is it the day, finally?'”
Capitalizing on the team’s surprising health edge, acting San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson started Devin Vassell for the first time all year, demoting guard guard Stephon Castle to the bench. Vassell responded with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The story, of course, was Wembanyama, who led his team with 42 points, along with six rebounds, five assists and four rejections.
“I thought he imposed his will in a positive way tonight,” Johnson said. “You can see it physically just because of his sheer size when he’s demonstrative, playing with conviction, where he is going to get the ball to the spots he wants to get to and nothing’s going to stop him.”
San Antonio has gone 14-13 thus far this season, but in the competitive West, that’s only good for the No. 11 seed.
There’s more out of Alamo City:
- A grassroots community group in San Antonio, COPS/Metro Alliance, has come out in opposition to the city using any of its own dollars for a proposed new Spurs arena downtown, per Molly Smith of The San Antonio Express News. “Whoever says that this is a done deal I think is crazy, because it’s not a done deal,” said Sonia Rodriguez, leader of COPS/Metro Alliance.
- In a fresh mailbag, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko revealed that he is skeptical the Spurs will be open to offloading many of their rotational pieces in a trade this season. Iko does suggest that, if the price of an offer is right from a title hopeful, San Antonio could be convinced to part with Vassell or Justin Champagnie. Iko submits that, with the club’s current roster, it seems to be good enough to qualify for this year’s play-tournament. San Antonio is competitive and has a chance at making the Play-In Tournament. Iko does add that oft-hurt veteran center Zach Collins, who is owed $34.7MM through 2025/26, may be the most tradable current Spur.
- In addressing the Spurs’ current starting five, Iko advocates for potentially a shooting-oriented group comprising point guard Chris Paul, Vassell, Champagnie, forward Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama. Iko alternately cautions, however, that relegating forward Jeremy Sochan and Castle to bench roles would naturally limit their defensive contributions to the roster.
Victory over Atlanta?
If it wasn’t for the merger, San Antonio wouldn’t have a team in the NBA. They can’t even get local games televised. They went from one dump, to another dump, to another dump. This time I believe they’ll get the new arena, but it won’t change things regarding payroll, etc. The Alamodome was built on a hope, which didn’t turn out to be. It’s also one of the worst designs known to mankind.