The San Antonio Spurs “home stretch” of the Rodeo Road Trip in Austin kicked off with a bang. The Spurs secured a 121-94 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs were locked in defensively while playing an even offensive game. Six members of the Silver and Black scored in double digits, and 30 of San Antonio’s baskets came off assists.
Stephon Castle led the team in scoring with 20 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Castle shot an efficient 8-11 from the field and 2-4 from deep. He scored at all-three levels, getting shots to go around the rim, in the mid-range, and hitting some big threes. Castle has turned it on over the last month, heating up as the Spurs head into the stretch run of the season.
The Area 51 duo was in action on Thursday night. Castle does a great job probing the defense until the defense ignores Victor Wembanyama (a mistake) and then finds him on the lob. Castle is probably the best on the team in finding the big man for lobs, which makes sense given the nickname.
Wembanyama showed why he is considered the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Wemby was dominant defensively, altering shot after shot in the paint. He finished the game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Wembanyama’s best play of the night came in the pick-and-roll when he slammed the ball over Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin. Williams had been playing physically and trying to dunk on him all night, and Wembanyama punished him on the other end with a towering slam.
He wasn’t the only Spurs center with highlight reel dunks, though. Luke Kornet was all over the rim against the Suns. He had 10 points and 9 rebounds on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field. He was a beast on the boards, grabbing three offensive rebounds. He’s been a much better lob threat than expected this season, thanks to his great hands and elite positioning in the paint.
Kornet had the play of the game with this monster slam off the offensive board. There is nothing more satisfying than a one-handed put-back dunk.
The rookies had their moments, too. Dylan Harper had 17 points off the bench, hitting 2 three-pointers. He, like Castle, scored at all three levels, which has been rare for him early in his career. Carter Bryant also hit two three-pointers, including a smooth-looking side-step jumper late in the fourth quarter.
San Antonio will play the Sacramento Kings in the last game of their Austin home-stand on Saturday night as they look to secure their 40th victory. Check out the video below for full game highlights.