As might have been expected, rookie point guard Tre Jones has spent most of his first season at the NBA level doing more learning than playing.
Given a chance at meaningful minutes Thursday against Detroit, the second-round pick from Duke made the most of it.
With DeMar DeRozan, Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills sidelined, Jones logged a season-high 19 minutes off the bench in the Spurs’ 106-91 victory.
He scored five points, had a season-high five assists and — most importantly to coach Gregg Popovich — committed zero turnovers.
“That’s the first thing you like out of a point guard — be solid, keep everyone together,” Popovich said. “He did a good job of that.”
Jones played seven games of a shortened G League season with the Austin Spurs and led the league in assists per game at 9.7. He also averaged 18.1 points per game.
In the little veteran Spurs have seen of Jones, they have become impressed with his defensive chops.
In his sophomore season at Duke, Jones was both the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s very annoying, gets into guys, has very active hands,” center Jakob Poeltl said. “He is doing a very good job with that.”
Before Thursday, Jones’ playing time at the NBA level had been limited to 29 games of mostly mop-up duty. He averaged 5.4 minutes in those appearances.
Jones’ teammates were pleased with the production he offered in a more substantial role against Detroit.
“You can see him getting better and better each time he’s out there,” guard Derrick White said. “We are all excited for him.”
Gay sits one out
against Pelicans
Two veterans returned the Spurs’ lineup Saturday in New Orleans, while another hit the injured list.
DeRozan was back after a one-game absence due to a quadriceps contusion. Patty Mills, who missed the win over Detroit for rest reasons, was also available to face the Pelicans.
Reserve forward Rudy Gay was unavailable with lower back soreness.
Popovich could not say how long the 34-year-old Gay might remain sidelined.
It marked only the second game Gay has missed since returning from the NBA’s health and safety protocols list in March.
Van Gundy big fan
of DeRozan’s play
Among those not excited to see DeRozan back in the Spurs’ lineup was New Orleans coach Stan Van Gundy.
DeRozan’s increased playmaking has made him a more difficult cover, Van Gundy said.
“You’re not going to be able to limit his scoring and take away his passing,” Van Gundy said. “You’re going to have to pick your poison.”
The Spurs’ leading scorer at 21 points per game, DeRozan is also averaging a career-best 7.1 assists. That eclipses his previous high of 6.2 set in 2018-19.
In three seasons since joining the Spurs, DeRozan has logged 19 games with double digit assists, including 12 this season.
He recorded three such games in nine seasons with Toronto.
“He’s a great player,” Van Gundy said. “You’re not taking everything away.”
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
