Spurs Survive the NBA Cup's 'Group of Death'-and They're Just Getting Started
In a tournament format that’s still finding its identity, one thing is already clear: the NBA Cup’s Group C in the Western Conference was no joke. Loaded with teams like the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors, and the up-and-coming Houston Rockets, it quickly earned the moniker “Group of Death.” And somehow, it’s the San Antonio Spurs-young, battered, and missing key pieces-who emerged from that gauntlet.
“This is huge,” said Spurs guard Devin Vassell after San Antonio clinched a spot in the Quarterfinals. “Whether people want to try and downplay it or not, we were in the toughest group.”
He’s not wrong. Three of the four other teams in Group C are widely expected to be in the playoff mix come spring. And yet, it’s the Spurs, a team that hasn’t sniffed the postseason since 2019, who punched their ticket out of the group stage.
And they did it without their two biggest names.
Shorthanded, But Not Short on Fight
Victor Wembanyama hasn’t played since November 14, when the Spurs lost to Golden State in group play. Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, suited up for the next game but hasn’t been seen on the court since. Derek Harper only just returned in the November 26 win over Portland-his first game action since November 2.
That’s three major pieces of the rotation either sidelined or just returning. And yet, the Spurs kept pushing.
“To come out, it shows [even though] we don't have Steph, we don't have Vic, and we just got Harp back,” Vassell said. “Just the resilience of the team. Everybody's stepping up, everybody coming in and having big minutes.”
The list of injuries doesn’t stop there. De’Aaron Fox missed the first eight games of the season.
Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan, and Kelly Olynyk have all missed time. At one point or another, it’s felt like everyone on this roster has had to step up-and they have.
“Lindy [Waters], Jeremy-I mean, I could go down the line,” Vassell said. “It was Carter [Bryant], anybody who came in, everybody had an impact.”
This wasn't just about surviving. It was about thriving under pressure.
San Antonio’s recent win over the Blazers kept their Cup hopes alive, and their 139-136 victory over the Nuggets in Denver sealed the deal. That was a winner-take-all scenario in the most competitive group of the tournament.
Vassell Leads the Charge
Vassell was the driving force in that high-octane win against Denver, dropping a season-high 35 points. Julian Champagnie added 25, while Keldon Johnson and Fox chipped in with 15 and 14, respectively. It wasn’t just about one guy going off-it was a collective effort, built on depth and trust.
“For us to be down two of our big players, and Fox didn’t start the season, and Harp was out for a little bit-it really has been a show,” Vassell said. “Everybody’s stepped up.
Whenever their number’s been called, they’ve been ready. It just shows the depth that we have on this team.”
And that depth might be tested again. As the Spurs prepare for a December 10 Quarterfinal matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s likely they’ll still be without Wembanyama. Castle’s status remains uncertain.
Still, Vassell is confident in what this group can do.
“We’re a deep team, man. And it’s exciting to think that we’re just scratching the surface.”
What Comes Next
The Spurs aren’t just another young team trying to find their footing-they’re building something. And this NBA Cup run, especially through the brutal Group C, is a sign that they’re ahead of schedule.
They’ve shown they can hang with the league’s elite, even with a rotation that’s been held together by duct tape and determination. That’s not just encouraging-it’s dangerous for everyone else.
San Antonio’s next test is a big one. The Lakers are battle-tested and hungry.
But if the Spurs have proven anything so far, it’s that they won’t back down from a challenge. Not with this kind of depth.
Not with this kind of belief.