Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers

After back-to-back road losses at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets The Spurs head back to the Frost Bank Center hoping to get back to winning ways against the visitors Portland Trail Blazers. San Antonio will be on the second night of a back-to-back after their wire-to-wire loss to the Rockets on Tuesday night. Their lack of offensive production without Devin Vassell and their inability to stop their I-10 rivals on the perimeter without an injured Jeremy Sochan was glaring and something the Spurs will need to fix quickly if they don’t want to fall further down in the position. a stacked Western Conference. While we know Sochan will be out for the foreseeable future, Vassell posted an ominous story on his Instagram account late Tuesday night with the caption “So closeeeeee ,” suggesting he’s almost ready to return from his offseason – operation at any time. Are the Blazers getting played too early? That’s something we won’t know until closer to tip-off time, but Devin’s return would be welcome news for a currently lackluster offense.

The San Antonio Spurs host the Portland Trail Blazers

November 7, 2024 | 7:00 a.m. CT

Watch: BallySW |Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Devin Vassell – Doubtful (Foot) Tre Jones – Doubtful (Ankle) Jeremy Sochan – Out (Thumb)

Blazer damage: Shaedon Sharpe – doubtful

What to look out for:

Top-3 choices from 2023 go into battle

It’s been two different stories for the two highest-profile prospects in 2023 NBA Draft as both Victor Wembanyama and Scott Henderson have gone on to the big time. Wemby won ROTY in his rookie season along with finishing second in DPOY and finished with one of, if not the most impressive rookie season of all time. While for the former G-League Ignite Guard Scoot Henderson has struggled to adjust and is still looking to find his footing in the NBA. In his rookie season, Scoot struggled with consistency, injuries and his shot as his role on a young Blazers team changed drastically as Portland tried to figure out the best way to unleash the former 5-star prospect. Henderson entered the NBA as this uber-athletic, Russell Westbrook-esque guard who had playmaking chops and could be a disruptive presence on the defensive end. Unfortunately, even with his ability to beat his man off the dribble, he has struggled tremendously with finishing at the rim so far in his young career. Turnover problems as well as problems adjusting on the defensive end have also stifled the development of the still only 20-year-old guard. It feels like a long time ago that some national media executives had Scoot Henderson as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft class.

UCONN reunion

From the 2023 NBA Draft to the 2024 draft class, where two former national championship teammates will go head-to-head for the first time in their NBA careers. Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan were two Top-8 picks from the previous NBA draft and will meet tonight for the first time since cutting down the nets in Glendale back in early April after defeating Purdue Boilermakers before UCONNsecond national championship in a row. Now in the NBA, both Castle and Clingan will be desperate to prove their worth as they look to break into bigger roles with their respective teams. The two players, both known for their defense, have contributed early in their rookie seasons on that side of the ball as their respective offensive games continue to develop.

Visit the Blazers fans’ perspective Blazer’s Edge.

PtR’s Game thread will be up tonight for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow the action throughout PtR’s Twitter feed or watch with us on Playback! See instructions below.