Stephon Castle calmly knocks down biggest shots of his life to save Spurs' season
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- Stephon Castle hit a clutch 3-pointer as the shot clock expired and two free throws with 6.8 seconds left in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to keep the Spurs alive and trim the Knicks' series lead to 2-1.
- Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points, and together he and Castle became the first teammates 22 or younger to each score 20+ points in an NBA Finals game.
- The Spurs were staring at an 0-3 hole at Madison Square Garden when Wembanyama delivered a massive performance and De'Aaron Fox — who hit the biggest shot of his career in the fourth quarter — also stepped up.
- Castle shot 5 of 6 from the free throw line (81.1% in the playoffs, up from 73.4% in the regular season), made 8 of 14 shots including two 3s, and committed just two turnovers before calmly answering postgame questions on the courtside Inside the NBA set.
- The piece frames the win as proof San Antonio's young core — Castle, Wembanyama, and 20-year-old Dylan Harper — has already lapped De'Aaron Fox as the franchise's central engine, calling the trio something that 'will make the Spurs a living nightmare for the rest of the league for the foreseeable future.'
Why it matters: Castle (23 pts) and Wembanyama (32 pts) became the first duo 22 or younger to each score 20+ in an NBA Finals game, pulling the Spurs within 2-1 and keeping the series alive. The piece frames the win as evidence San Antonio's young core — Castle, Wembanyama, and 20-year-old Dylan Harper — has already lapped De'Aaron Fox as the franchise's engine.