Spurs' Vassell Primed for First Playoff Appearance

After six seasons, the 25-year-old shooting guard is ready to shine in the postseason

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:20pm

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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell is gearing up for his first-ever NBA playoff appearance after six seasons in the league. Vassell, who recently signed a five-year, $135 million contract, has worked tirelessly to improve his game and is poised to be a key contributor as the Spurs make a playoff push. With the support of his teammates, including rookie Carter Bryant, and the passionate Spurs fanbase, Vassell is embracing the opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage.

Why it matters

Vassell's development and postseason debut are significant for the Spurs, who are looking to return to the playoffs after a challenging season a year ago. As one of the team's core players, Vassell's performance could be crucial in determining the Spurs' success in the playoffs.

The details

Vassell, who arrived at a recent Spurs event in a blacked-out Ferrari, has spent the offseason working on his midrange shot, fly-bys, and screen evasion. His statistics this season show his progress, as he maintained similar efficiency from the floor and the best efficiency of his career from 3-point range, despite a decrease in shot attempts. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Vassell's ability to 'float back and forth between shooter and scorer,' which will be valuable as the team expects defenses to tighten up in the playoffs.

  • Vassell signed a five-year, $135 million contract with the Spurs over the offseason.
  • The Spurs will face the winner of the Play-In Tournament matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The players

Devin Vassell

A 25-year-old shooting guard for the San Antonio Spurs who is making his first-ever NBA playoff appearance after six seasons in the league. Vassell has worked hard to improve his game and is poised to be a key contributor for the Spurs in the postseason.

Carter Bryant

A rookie for the San Antonio Spurs who has been closely studying Vassell's work ethic and game, believing that Vassell will have a great postseason due to his diligence and experience.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who praised Vassell's ability to transition between being a shooter and a scorer, which will be valuable as the team expects defenses to tighten up in the playoffs.

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' star player who missed time last season due to deep vein thrombosis, but is expected to be a key part of the team's playoff push this year.

Stephon Castle

A Spurs player who has praised Vassell's consistency and importance to the team, stating that if they can get this level of performance from Vassell, it will be hard for opponents to beat them.

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What they’re saying

“He's the one guy on our team who can float back and forth between shooter and scorer. That's very valuable, especially as we expect defenses to tighten up and game plans to become more thorough. He'll be a vital part.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

“Devin ... can average 20, easily. He can be a 25-point-per-game guy. He scores the ball so effortlessly. He sacrifices his role for the greater good of this team, and it's amazing to see him go out and have scoring outbursts.”

— Carter Bryant, Spurs Rookie

“He's been super important for us. Super consistent ... if we can get this kind of Devin day-in and day-out, it's going to be hard for teams to beat us.”

— Stephon Castle, Spurs Player

What’s next

The Spurs will face the winner of the Play-In Tournament matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Spurs are expecting a loud and energetic home crowd at Frost Bank Center as Vassell and the team make their first playoff appearance in several years.

The takeaway

Devin Vassell's development and first-ever playoff appearance with the San Antonio Spurs represents an exciting new chapter for the franchise. After years of hard work and dedication, Vassell is poised to shine on the big stage, with the support of his teammates and the passionate Spurs fanbase. His ability to transition between scorer and shooter will be a valuable asset as the Spurs look to make a deep playoff run.