Why Devin Vassell isn’t happy with the NBA Cup win over the Nuggets

The San Antonio Spurs moved to NBA Cup quarterfinals with a 139–136 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Friday, although the back-forward Devin Vassell made it clear after the game that advancing did not complete their mission.

When asked after the game how it felt to reach the quarter-finals, Vasell he said:

“It feels great. I can smile now, but the work isn’t done.”

San Antonio was without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, a situation that led to Wassell’s offense as he finished with a season-high 35 points on a highly efficient 12-of-17 shooting night that included a red-hot 7-of-9 from deep. It was his third career game with seven three-pointers, and he finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the line with zero turnovers. The 25-year-old is now averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 2025. Against Denver, he served as the Spurs’ closer as San Antonio erased an 18-point deficit in the third quarter.

Spurs defended by shooting from the perimeter, and Vembanjame was not available due to a calf problem. Eight different San Antonio players hit at least one 3-pointer, helping the team to 17 points while shooting 40% from beyond the arc and 49% from the field. Their composure at the foul line ended up deciding the game. The Spurs were 30-for-32 (94%) at the line, including 12-for-12 in the fourth quarter.

Julian Champagne turned in his best all-around performance of the season, scoring 25 points, going 10-for-10 at the free throw line and grabbing 10 rebounds, San Antonio’s only double-double of the night. The Spurs’ rally was fueled by his four-point play in the third quarter as the bench added 42 points, with Keldon Johnson leading the way with 14 points.

The Nuggets’ stars played at a high level, but mistakes ultimately cost them the game. Jamal Murray scored 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting, surpassing 10,000 career points. Nikola Jokic scored 21 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, while Cam Johnson added 28 points with six three-pointers. Denver shot 53% from the field and 41% from three, but their 17 turnovers, which led to 30 San Antonio points, erased their 44-35 rebounding and 18-point advantage earlier.

The Spurs trailed 74–59 at halftime and briefly trailed by 18 early in the third, but closed the quarter on a 20-6 run to make it 104–103 entering the fourth. Wassel’s late threes provided the final separation before San Antonio ended the game.