Jeff McDonald
@jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social
Spurs beat writer for the San Antonio Express-News. Live music and dead poets. Refugee from The Bad Place.
"In trying to get this group into the playoffs, these games are huge.”
The Spurs realize the NBA Cup isn't the same as the NBA playoffs. However, they do believe one could serve as a stepping stone to the other.
That and more in this fresh batch of Spurs notes:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
The Spurs realize the NBA Cup isn't the same as the NBA playoffs. However, they do believe one could serve as a stepping stone to the other.
That and more in this fresh batch of Spurs notes:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
How the Spurs feel about winning the Group of Death
It doesn't mean everything, but advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup means something to the upstart Spurs
www.expressnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"In trying to get this group into the playoffs, these games are huge.”
The Spurs realize the NBA Cup isn't the same as the NBA playoffs. However, they do believe one could serve as a stepping stone to the other.
That and more in this fresh batch of Spurs notes:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
The Spurs realize the NBA Cup isn't the same as the NBA playoffs. However, they do believe one could serve as a stepping stone to the other.
That and more in this fresh batch of Spurs notes:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
“He’s becoming a winning player.”
Devin Vassell has seen his role shift and reshape in the five years since he became (at the time) the Spurs' highest-drafted rookie since Duncan.
Friday, he shot the Spurs into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
A look at the journey:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Devin Vassell has seen his role shift and reshape in the five years since he became (at the time) the Spurs' highest-drafted rookie since Duncan.
Friday, he shot the Spurs into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
A look at the journey:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
How Devin Vassell became the Spurs' new Captain Clutch
Vassell's 53 points over the past two games are the most of any two-game stretch of his career
www.expressnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
“He’s becoming a winning player.”
Devin Vassell has seen his role shift and reshape in the five years since he became (at the time) the Spurs' highest-drafted rookie since Duncan.
Friday, he shot the Spurs into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
A look at the journey:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Devin Vassell has seen his role shift and reshape in the five years since he became (at the time) the Spurs' highest-drafted rookie since Duncan.
Friday, he shot the Spurs into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
A look at the journey:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Reposted by Jeff McDonald
The (quarterfinals bound) triple take: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
3 takeaways as Devin Vassell sends Spurs into NBA Cup quarterfinals
Vassell threw in a season-best 35 points, including two key fourth quarter treys, to lead the Spurs over the Denver Nuggets and keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.
www.expressnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
The (quarterfinals bound) triple take: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Nothing to report. He's back at home.
Wemby return update?
November 29, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Nothing to report. He's back at home.
Best part about the Spurs advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals is listening to Keldon Johnson go on (and on and on) about what he would do with the $500K that goes to each player on the team that ultimately wins the NBA Cup title.
Needless to say, I feel bad for his accountant.
Needless to say, I feel bad for his accountant.
November 29, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Best part about the Spurs advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals is listening to Keldon Johnson go on (and on and on) about what he would do with the $500K that goes to each player on the team that ultimately wins the NBA Cup title.
Needless to say, I feel bad for his accountant.
Needless to say, I feel bad for his accountant.
The (quarterfinals bound) triple take: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
3 takeaways as Devin Vassell sends Spurs into NBA Cup quarterfinals
Vassell threw in a season-best 35 points, including two key fourth quarter treys, to lead the Spurs over the Denver Nuggets and keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.
www.expressnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
The (quarterfinals bound) triple take: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Devin Vassell comes up big in crunch time
2. The Spurs were set up to lose, but didn't
3. Rebounding is going to be an adventure sans Vic, but Champagnie and Johnson are helping out
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Down by as many as 18 in the third quarter, the Spurs rallied to briefly take a one-point lead. Cam Johnson's 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left sends Denver into the 4Q ahead 104-103.
It could be a Cup-tastic finish!
It could be a Cup-tastic finish!
November 29, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Down by as many as 18 in the third quarter, the Spurs rallied to briefly take a one-point lead. Cam Johnson's 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left sends Denver into the 4Q ahead 104-103.
It could be a Cup-tastic finish!
It could be a Cup-tastic finish!
Things have escalated quickly in Denver. With 4:19 left in the second quarter, we had a 53-all tie.
Nuggets finished the half on a 21-6 run to take a 74-59 edge into intermission.
Murray with 18 to lead Denver.
Nuggets finished the half on a 21-6 run to take a 74-59 edge into intermission.
Murray with 18 to lead Denver.
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Things have escalated quickly in Denver. With 4:19 left in the second quarter, we had a 53-all tie.
Nuggets finished the half on a 21-6 run to take a 74-59 edge into intermission.
Murray with 18 to lead Denver.
Nuggets finished the half on a 21-6 run to take a 74-59 edge into intermission.
Murray with 18 to lead Denver.
After 1Q in Denver, Nuggets shooting 66.7%, Spurs shooting 64%.
Spurs lead 41-33 thanks to 10 points from Julian Champagnie. Jamal Murray has 12 for Nuggs.
Spurs lead 41-33 thanks to 10 points from Julian Champagnie. Jamal Murray has 12 for Nuggs.
November 29, 2025 at 3:08 AM
After 1Q in Denver, Nuggets shooting 66.7%, Spurs shooting 64%.
Spurs lead 41-33 thanks to 10 points from Julian Champagnie. Jamal Murray has 12 for Nuggs.
Spurs lead 41-33 thanks to 10 points from Julian Champagnie. Jamal Murray has 12 for Nuggs.
It's an NBA Cup elimination game!
Spurs: Fox, Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, Kornet
Nuggets: Murray, Johnson, Jones, Watson, Jokic
Spurs: Fox, Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, Kornet
Nuggets: Murray, Johnson, Jones, Watson, Jokic
November 29, 2025 at 2:35 AM
It's an NBA Cup elimination game!
Spurs: Fox, Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, Kornet
Nuggets: Murray, Johnson, Jones, Watson, Jokic
Spurs: Fox, Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, Kornet
Nuggets: Murray, Johnson, Jones, Watson, Jokic
One thing to note tonight: Denver has been off since Monday. The Spurs played Wednesday in Portland and flew to Denver yesterday afternoon.
Why the league scheduled a winner-take-all Cup game with such a significant rest disadvantage built in, I'll never know. Yet here we are.
Why the league scheduled a winner-take-all Cup game with such a significant rest disadvantage built in, I'll never know. Yet here we are.
November 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
One thing to note tonight: Denver has been off since Monday. The Spurs played Wednesday in Portland and flew to Denver yesterday afternoon.
Why the league scheduled a winner-take-all Cup game with such a significant rest disadvantage built in, I'll never know. Yet here we are.
Why the league scheduled a winner-take-all Cup game with such a significant rest disadvantage built in, I'll never know. Yet here we are.
The Spurs gave De'Aaron Fox the most lucrative contract in club history, picturing him as a complement to Victor Wembanyama.
With Wemby and others out, Fox has proven still up to the job of carrying a team, too.
Dispatch from Denver:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews
With Wemby and others out, Fox has proven still up to the job of carrying a team, too.
Dispatch from Denver:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews
Why the Spurs are glad to have their $226-million man
After signing the largest contract in Spurs history last summer, De'Aaron Fox has kept them afloat during an injury-plagued week.
www.expressnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The Spurs gave De'Aaron Fox the most lucrative contract in club history, picturing him as a complement to Victor Wembanyama.
With Wemby and others out, Fox has proven still up to the job of carrying a team, too.
Dispatch from Denver:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews
With Wemby and others out, Fox has proven still up to the job of carrying a team, too.
Dispatch from Denver:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews
Shootaround, Game No. 18, Ball Arena, Denver.
November 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Shootaround, Game No. 18, Ball Arena, Denver.
Reposted by Jeff McDonald
Like most Americans, the Spurs' Lindy Waters III sees Thanksgiving as a time for food, family and fellowship.
As a Native American, Waters' views on the holiday are ... complicated.
Spoke with Waters about the proud heritage he literally wears on his sleeve:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
As a Native American, Waters' views on the holiday are ... complicated.
Spoke with Waters about the proud heritage he literally wears on his sleeve:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
How Lindy Waters' Native American heritage shapes his views on Thanksgiving
Spurs guard Lindy Waters III is one of three active NBA players to lay claim to Native American heritage
www.expressnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Like most Americans, the Spurs' Lindy Waters III sees Thanksgiving as a time for food, family and fellowship.
As a Native American, Waters' views on the holiday are ... complicated.
Spoke with Waters about the proud heritage he literally wears on his sleeve:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
As a Native American, Waters' views on the holiday are ... complicated.
Spoke with Waters about the proud heritage he literally wears on his sleeve:
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Reposted by Jeff McDonald
The (stayin' alive) triple take: Spurs 115, Blazers 102
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
3 takeaways as De'Aaron Fox explodes for best game with Spurs
Fox's best night in a San Antonio Spurs uniform lifts the team to an NBA Emirates Cup win in Portland, keeping them alive in Group C with the Nuggets on deck.
www.expressnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The (stayin' alive) triple take: Spurs 115, Blazers 102
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
The (stayin' alive) triple take: Spurs 115, Blazers 102
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
3 takeaways as De'Aaron Fox explodes for best game with Spurs
Fox's best night in a San Antonio Spurs uniform lifts the team to an NBA Emirates Cup win in Portland, keeping them alive in Group C with the Nuggets on deck.
www.expressnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The (stayin' alive) triple take: Spurs 115, Blazers 102
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
1. Fox was Fox, but Devin Vassell stepped up as a capable second fiddle
2. Dylan Harper predictably rusty in return, and that's OK
3. Portland taking on image of its scrappy coach
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Hey I got one right!
From my perch atop the Moda Center, sure looked like the Blazers knocked that ball out of bounds before they bounced it off Vassell.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Hey I got one right!
From my perch atop the Moda Center, sure looked like the Blazers knocked that ball out of bounds before they bounced it off Vassell.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 AM
From my perch atop the Moda Center, sure looked like the Blazers knocked that ball out of bounds before they bounced it off Vassell.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
Would think Mitch will win this challenge, although I never get these right.
De'Aaron Fox is up to 29 points, a season high.
The most he has scored in a Spurs uniform is 32, notched against Dallas last season in his final game before being shut down for pinkie surgery.
The most he has scored in a Spurs uniform is 32, notched against Dallas last season in his final game before being shut down for pinkie surgery.
November 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM
De'Aaron Fox is up to 29 points, a season high.
The most he has scored in a Spurs uniform is 32, notched against Dallas last season in his final game before being shut down for pinkie surgery.
The most he has scored in a Spurs uniform is 32, notched against Dallas last season in his final game before being shut down for pinkie surgery.
Avdija might just be too on fire for the Spurs to do anything about.
Which would be a problem.
Which would be a problem.
November 27, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Avdija might just be too on fire for the Spurs to do anything about.
Which would be a problem.
Which would be a problem.
Vassell up to 21 points after 3Q, his first 20-point outing since Oct. 24.
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Vassell up to 21 points after 3Q, his first 20-point outing since Oct. 24.
Devin Vassell's leaning 3-pointer with one second left salvaged what was a pretty poor finish to the third for the Spurs.
Were up 12 with three minutes left. Blazers got three points on five of their final six trips to pull within 2.
Vassell's prayer gives Spurs 91-86 cushion headed to fourth.
Were up 12 with three minutes left. Blazers got three points on five of their final six trips to pull within 2.
Vassell's prayer gives Spurs 91-86 cushion headed to fourth.
November 27, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Devin Vassell's leaning 3-pointer with one second left salvaged what was a pretty poor finish to the third for the Spurs.
Were up 12 with three minutes left. Blazers got three points on five of their final six trips to pull within 2.
Vassell's prayer gives Spurs 91-86 cushion headed to fourth.
Were up 12 with three minutes left. Blazers got three points on five of their final six trips to pull within 2.
Vassell's prayer gives Spurs 91-86 cushion headed to fourth.
De'Aaron Fox (4 of 12) hasn't had the most efficient first half, but he was big in the closing minutes of the second quarter.
Eight of his 14 points came in the final 2:50 to help the Spurs carry a 56-54 edge into the locker room.
Eight of his 14 points came in the final 2:50 to help the Spurs carry a 56-54 edge into the locker room.
November 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
De'Aaron Fox (4 of 12) hasn't had the most efficient first half, but he was big in the closing minutes of the second quarter.
Eight of his 14 points came in the final 2:50 to help the Spurs carry a 56-54 edge into the locker room.
Eight of his 14 points came in the final 2:50 to help the Spurs carry a 56-54 edge into the locker room.
Blazers getting a lift from the return of Shaeden Sharpe from the injured list. He entered the game and scored the final eight points of the first quarter for Portland, leading to Blazers' 30-29 lead.
November 27, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Blazers getting a lift from the return of Shaeden Sharpe from the injured list. He entered the game and scored the final eight points of the first quarter for Portland, leading to Blazers' 30-29 lead.
Not sure how Keldon Johnson snuck that offensive board away from Robert Williams, but he's been doing this stuff all year.
November 27, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Not sure how Keldon Johnson snuck that offensive board away from Robert Williams, but he's been doing this stuff all year.