The two young stars walked off the court. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle held their head up high. They also wore a determined expression.
The Spurs just salvaged their season with a 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden. That setting could have overwhelmed these young prospects after already struggling on the Finals stage. Instead, Wembanyama and Castle thrived through the circumstances.
Pent-up energy spilled out over the Knicks playing in their first NBA Finals home game in 27 years. Fans bought tickets that, on average, cost more than even most Super Bowls.
Boos permeated over President Donald Trump’s attendance. His political divisiveness and his presence contributed to prolonged security checkpoints to enter the World’s Most Famous Arena.
Pressure mounted over an essential must-win considering an NBA team has yet to overcome a 3-0 playoff series deficit.
None of those elements fazed Wembanyama and Castle, though. They showed the best versions of themselves when the Spurs needed them the most.
Wembanyama posted a team-leading 32 points while shooting efficiently from the field (11-for-18), from 3-point range (2-for-4) and from the free-throw line (8-for-9) along with eight rebounds and six assists. Castle added 23 points, five rebounds and five assists while also shooting well overall (8-for-14), from deep (2-for-5) and from the charity stripe (5-for-6). After struggling in Games 1 and 2 against Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, Wembanyama displayed his familiar two-way dominance. After floundering with his accuracy, Castle rediscovered his shot.
Wembanyama began the game throwing down two thunderous dunks within the first two minutes. He ended the game scoring 10 fourth-quarter points. In between, Wembanyama limited Towns to 11 points on a 4-for-10 clip and 0-for-2 mark from the perimeter. Emotionally, Wembanyama imposed his will without forcing the issue as he did in Games 1 and 2. Tactically, Wembanyama made the right basketball play without settling for shots and committing a costly turnover as he did late in Game 2.
Castle began the game producing at the rim and from deep within the first four minutes. He ended the game with making a key 3 and splitting a pair of free throws to secure the win. Emotionally, Castle played with more aggressiveness than he did in Game 1 and 2. Tactically, Castle found a sweet spot in setting up Wembanyama for easy baskets, while offering scoring support. Though Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox made a timely jumper to give the Spurs a 113-108 lead with 12.2 seconds left, Castle’s efficiency helped offset Fox’s otherwise poor shooting night (4-for-14 overall, 0-for-5 from 3).
By no means did Wembanyama and Castle play a perfect game. Castle (four) and Wembanyama (three) picked up unnecessary fouls. Castle even pushed Knicks guard Jalen Brunson to the ground, a sequence that fueled the Knicks’ 14-3 second-quarter run. Yet, both Wembanyama and Castle excelled for the same reasons they won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award for the past two seasons.
Wembanyama dominated in similar fashion as he did against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle and Oklahoma City Thunder’s center Chet Holmgren in earlier playoff matchups. Wembanyama competed with an edge. He sought out and played through contact. Yet, he leaned on his deft touch, footwork and instincts to inflict most of the damage. Unlike what he showed in Games 1 and 2, Wembanyama didn’t just settle for 3s or force a drive to the rim when he didn’t have the angle. He showed more patience with his shot selection and more aggressiveness with creating opportunities.
Castle excelled as a two-way disrupter that has made him arguably the team’s best point guard even compared to its respected veteran (Fox) and its No. 2 pick (Dylan Harper). Castle mirrors Harper’s fearlessness at the rim. Castle models Fox’s clutch shot-making. Castle also lived up to his calling as the team’s best perimeter defender by holding Brunson to a 11-for-25 mark.
Perhaps it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Wembanyama and Castle rise to the occasion in a pivotal Game 3. Before the Spurs drafted Wembanyama at No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft, he succeeded professionally in his native France with Nanterre 92 (2019-21), ASVEL (2021-2022) and Metropolitans 92 (2022-23). Before San Antonio selected Castle at No. 4 in the 2024 NBA Draft, he led Connecticut to a national championship. Hence, these young players can handle the pressure in high-stakes games.
Wembanyama internalizes losses by taking accountability and leaning into his chippiness. He also seeks inspiration. That explains why Wembanyama spent part of his day on Sunday drawing in New York City’s Gramercy Park. Castle also handles losses by taking ownership and adopting a next-play mentality. He also remains confident. That explains why Castle publicly proclaimed the Spurs as “the better team” even after their Game 1 loss to the Knicks.
The Knicks have cast doubt on the accuracy of Castle’s statement. They have proven that their playoff dominance isn’t a fluke. They also remain in control of the series. Yet, Wembanyama and Castle at least ensured the Spurs would finally become that better team in Game 3.
Who knows if the Spurs can replicate the same outcome in Game 4, let alone salvage this series enough to win the NBA championship. They have two young players, however, ready to take on that challenge.
