Primo, Collins, and the Austin Spurs Host Chalmers and Sioux Falls Thursday Night

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The Austin Spurs played the Memphis Hustle in a NBA G League game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas. (Andy Nietupski / TTL Sports Media; T: @TTLSports: IG: @TTLSportsMedia)

It took a minute, but the team is starting to re-assemble for the Austin Spurs. Jaylen Morris is back with the Spurs’ affiliate after a 10-day opportunity with San Antonio, and Joe Wieskamp is again in the G League after providing wing-depth in the Alamo City.

At 2-3, the team has struggled to start the regular season, despite the amount of talent on the team. Where they actually fit in the standings is a bit difficult to measure, as most teams in the Western Conference have already played seven or eight games. Austin saw their season delayed as the parent club was leaning on a number of the G League players to put a team on the court.

Cacok in Command

A lot of fan interest regarding Austin is in Joshua Primo and Joe Wieskamp, and rightfully so. The pair of players were the Spurs’ two selections in the 2021 NBA Draft, where Primo was taken 12th overall. Still, Devontae Cacok is absolutely thriving in the 5-1-2. The former Los Angeles Laker has played in all five games this season, averaging 23 points in 34 minutes per game while shooting 60-percent from the floor. His 13.8 rebounds lead the G League, and 2.6 steals per game is fantastic. Austin leads the G League with 52.4 rebounds per game.

At 6’7” 240lbs, is approximately the size of Thaddeus Young, if that gives an idea on where he could fit with San Antonio in the future. Cacok was claimed off of waivers by San Antonio last fall.

Next Up for Austin

On Thursday, January 27, 2022, Austin will host the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Hea) inside the HEB Center at Cedar Park. The Skyforce (2-8) have lost their last seven games, most recently falling to the Agua Caliente Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers) 129 – 101 on Tuesday.

Former first-round pick Brandon Knight is the leading scorer for Sioux Falls this season at 17.8 points per game but hasn’t played in 10 days. The lack of roster consistency would appear to be a major factor in the team’s lack of consistency. Austin head coach Petar Bozic will need to keep his players focused to avoid an upset.

Tip-off between Sioux Falls and Austin is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST and will broadcast on both ESPN+ and Bally Sports Southwest.

Spurs on Assignment

For the third time this season, Austin will enjoy the services of Zach Collins who is on a conditioning assignment. The team’s two wins have been with Collins on the court, where he is averaging 15 points per game in 22 minutes per night. Understanding that he isn’t a permanent part of the Austin roster, the Spurs are right to take advantage of the opportunity to have Collins, which surely is valuable for big-men Nate Renfro and Aric Holman.

In addition to Collins, Primo has also been re-assigned to Austin. The Spurs’ young rookie is averaging 31 minutes per game and just over 18 points and three rebounds per game. His number of blocks has taken a dip since the Showcase Cup where he averaged more than one swat per night. That’s an acceptable trade-off, however, as Primo now has his perimeter shooting up to 45-percent. He is averaging more than five attempts from deep per game. His 76-percent from the charity stripe is the best on the team.

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