In a “must-win game,” it takes all hands on deck to steer the ship in the right direction. Whether or not the NBA Cup is worthy of must-win status is up for debate, but in a game that could have decided whether the San Antonio Spurs advance past group play, the team received contributions up and down the roster. Everyone played a part in San Antonio’s 115-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
It started with the Spurs’ only available star. De’Aaron Fox has re-established himself as an All-Star caliber player in Victor Wembanyama’s absence. He’s scored 20 or more points in his last 6 games, and dominated the game on Wednesday with 37 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. He weaved his way around the Blazers’ pressure with his tight handle, finished in the paint with floaters and jumpers, and found his open teammates after drawing defensive attention. In the fourth quarter, it was Fox who helped the Spurs pull away.
When Fox wasn’t acting as the Spurs’ offensive engine, Devin Vassell was knocking down tough shots. It was Vassell’s best shooting night of the season, with 23 points while making 9 of his 17 shots. Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie both had double-doubles, including some big-time offensive rebounds that kept possessions alive for San Antonio. Harrison Barnes made some key shots, and Luke Kornet fought hard in the paint with 3 blocks and 4 offensive rebounds.
Mitch Johnson played 11 players, and just about all of them did something notable. It’s not just about having depth; it’s the quality of that depth that determines how far a team goes. The team has held up in the absence of some of the Spurs’ best players. They are now 4-1 without Wembanyama and 3-1 without Stephon Castle this season. The recent stretch proves that this roster is strong enough to keep the Spurs in contention without their stars and could be a true playoff contender when they return.