What happened: Filling in on Spurs coverage, beat reporter Anthony Slater shared audio of Devin Vassell from a lively San Antonio shootaround Wednesday morning. Vassell pointed to the Cavaliers-Warriors clash a decade ago as his most memorable Game 7. Slater framed tonight's result as similarly consequential for the direction of the league.

Why it matters: A Game 7 is winner-take-all, and how San Antonio responds shapes the franchise's trajectory and momentum heading forward. The reference to the 2016 Cavaliers-Warriors decider underscores the stakes Vassell sees in the moment. A loud, loose shootaround can signal a team's confidence entering a do-or-die game.

What to watch: Watch tip-off tonight to see whether the energy Vassell showed at shootaround carries onto the floor, and how San Antonio handles the decisive game.