Dallas Basketball

Mavs' Opening Opponent Will be Shorthanded to Start Season

A Spurs star will be out until at least November 1.

Keenan Womack

Mar 25, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) dribbles in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) dribbles in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
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NBA reporter Marc Stein announced today on Twitter that San Antonio Spurs star Devin Vassell will be out until at least November 1 as he recovers from surgery related to a stress fracture in his right foot dating back to last season.

As it says in the post above, Vassell was unable to participate in the final eight games of the Spurs' 2023-24 season due to this injury, and it appears he's still dealing with problems related to it. Last season, the Spurs shooting guard and candidate for Most Improved Player (finished 12th) averaged 19.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game and finished second on the team in points behind only Victor Wembanyama.

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Starting at the shooting guard spot last season for San Antonio, Vassell is an important part of what the Spurs do on the offensive end of the floor. Though they brought in rookie Stephon Castle who is a bit of a combo guard, they want to teach the UConn standout to play the lead initiator role behind Chris Paul, meaning that Vassell's role as the first-stringer is not in danger.

The Spurs play against the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic on October 24 in each team's first game of the year, a matchup that will be held in Dallas at the American Airlines Center. San Antonio has lost 11 of its last 12 against the Mavs, a streak that Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and newly acquired piece Klay Thompson hope to keep going.

In general, San Antonio has struggled over the last few years, but the rise of the 2023 Rookie of the Year Wembanyama has been a revelation for a franchise used to winning at a high level. Still, the Mavericks have more than had their number since Doncic's arrival, and want to continue to dominate their hated rivals.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks Media Day and Preseason Information

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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