SAN ANTONIO — Devin Vassell injury can be thought of day-to-day with a left adductor pressure, a optimistic growth after San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich first mentioned the fourth-year guard could possibly be out “a short while.”
Vassell left Thursday’s win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns with left groin tightness and obtained an MRI as soon as the staff returned from Phoenix.
The staff is more likely to maintain him out of Sunday afternoon’s sport in opposition to the Toronto Raptors and reassess his standing forward of subsequent week’s two-game street journey in opposition to the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.
Following the sport, Popovich mentioned he thought the staff was going to be with out Vassell due to the character of the harm. “The groin is a type of issues the place it might take some time,” Popovich mentioned. “He wasn’t positive. He thought he may play, however I instructed him to exit and heat it up [at halftime] and to be sincere with me if it loosened up and the way it felt and he mentioned he simply could not go on it.” Towards the Suns, Vassell was changed within the second-half beginning lineup by Malaki Branham. At follow on Saturday, Branham mentioned Vassell’s analysis was a plus and he was glad it wasn’t something critical.
“Simply subsequent man up, subsequent man up mentality,” Branham mentioned Saturday. “I have been on this place a few occasions final 12 months, so this isn’t new to me. Simply be able to play.”
Branham began 32 games as a rookie final season for the Spurs. In 5 games off the bench this 12 months, he is averaging 6.2 factors.
Spurs veteran ahead Doug McDermott mentioned Branham was “nice” within the second half in opposition to Phoenix on Thursday.
“Malaki a really proficient participant and he’ll get a task in right here,” McDermott mentioned. “All of us have lots of religion in Malachi. He is going to have the ability to deal with the ball in sure conditions and take over a few of that scoring that Devin supplied.”
Vassell is averaging 19.4 factors and capturing 40.7% from deep this 12 months.
