After one of the San Antonio Spurs’ final preseason practices, Gregg Popovich provided some encouraging news regarding Devin Vassell, the player who could very well be their second-best player right now – even with Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes now in the mix.

“No contact yet, but we’re still hoping he’ll be with us in early November,” the Hall of Fame coach said of his 24-year-old swingman.

“Actually, he scripted all the plays today and that sort of thing. He was going up and down.

Vassell’s potential return fits an initial timeline given by the team when it announced its second-leading scorer would be out.

Devin Vassell not expected to miss much of regular season

Following surgery on his right foot on June 26, the Spurs announced that Vassell would miss the start of the regular season a few days before the start of training camp.

At the team’s media day, held the day before their first official practice, the former Florida State star confirmed he would be re-evaluated on November 1.

“Right now I’m on the pitch, I’m moving very well, I’m doing everything. I hope to return as soon as possible. »

Out due to the procedure to treat a stress reaction in the third metatarsal head of his right foot, Vassell also missed the final eight games of last year’s regular season due to the ailment. Although the team said in late September that Vassell was participating in non-contact basketball activities, Spurs fans weren’t wrong to fear their second-leading scorer would be out for longer. Especially considering the franchise’s cautious approach to injuries.

But if Popovich’s potential projection comes to fruition, Vassell could only miss five games. After facing the Dallas Mavericks to start the new year on October 24, the Spurs will host the Houston Rockets in back-to-back games on October 26 and 28 before hitting the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jazz. Utah on October 30 and 28. 31. San Antonio’s first game after November 1 will be the next day at Frost Bank Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

About to enter his fifth NBA season, Vassell has increased his scoring average every year since entering the league. He led the Silver and Black in scoring through the first two months of last year before finishing second to Victor Wembanyama with 19.5 points per outing during a career-high 68 games.