Stephon Castle Leads Spurs Past Lakers in NBA Cup Semifinals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Stephon Castle scored a season-high 30 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Los Angeles Lakers, 132-119, in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The win moves San Antonio into the semifinals and within one game of second place in the West. Castle’s performance solidifies the Spurs’ playoff potential, even without Victor Wembanyama.
Stephon Castle’s Breakout Fuels Spurs’ NBA Cup Run: Quick Looks
- Spurs defeat Lakers 132-119 in NBA Cup quarterfinals
- San Antonio advances to semifinals in Las Vegas
- Castle posts season-high 30 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
- De’Aaron Fox scores 20; Johnson adds 17 off bench
- Spurs led by as many as 24 during game
- Win pushes Spurs to 7-3 in last 10 games
- Victor Wembanyama remains sidelined but could return this month
- Next opponent: 24-1 Oklahoma City Thunder in semifinal showdown
Stephon Castle Leads Spurs Past Lakers in NBA Cup Semifinals
Deep Look
The San Antonio Spurs are officially the team no one in the West can ignore. Without star rookie Victor Wembanyama, and facing off against a seasoned Los Angeles Lakers squad featuring LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves, the Spurs delivered a dominant performance Wednesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, winning 132-119.
The star of the night? Stephon Castle, the emerging rookie guard, who put together a breakout performance with a season-high 30 points, along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Castle’s all-around effort not only energized San Antonio but served notice to the rest of the league: this Spurs team is deep, confident, and ahead of schedule.
Spurs in Command from the Start
San Antonio came out of the gate fast, outscoring the Lakers in each of the first three quarters and taking a 12-point lead into halftime. Their energy and execution on both ends were on full display, as they built a 24-point lead at one point before holding off a late L.A. run in the fourth quarter.
Even with Wembanyama sidelined for the fourth straight week, San Antonio controlled the pace and the paint. Luke Kornet stepped up as an interior presence, chipping in 10 points, eight rebounds, and a block while protecting the rim. De’Aaron Fox added a solid 20-point night, and Keldon Johnson provided firepower off the bench with 17 points.
Castle’s Breakthrough Performance
All eyes were on Stephon Castle, and he delivered. The rookie guard showcased his ability to take over a high-stakes game, attacking the rim with confidence, pulling up from mid-range, and setting up teammates with precision.
Castle’s performance marked the first 30-point double-double of his young career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. His composure under pressure, especially in the absence of Wembanyama, bodes well for San Antonio’s playoff hopes — and gives the Spurs another reliable option to carry the offense when it matters most.
Rising Threat in the West
With this win, the Spurs have now gone 7-3 over their last 10 games, showing consistency and growth that has them within one game of second place in the Western Conference standings. That’s a major turnaround for a team that began the season in rebuild mode.
Despite high expectations around Wembanyama, it’s Castle and the supporting cast who have taken control, keeping San Antonio in playoff contention and alive in the inaugural NBA Cup tournament.
Wembanyama, who has missed four weeks due to injury, is reportedly making progress and expected to return before the end of December — potentially giving the Spurs a massive boost in the later stages of the regular season and the NBA Cup.
Next Challenge: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Spurs now face a monumental task in the NBA Cup semifinals: a matchup against the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, who boast a 24-1 record. Saturday’s game will determine who moves on to the NBA Cup Final, and it will be the toughest test yet for San Antonio’s young core.
While Castle’s emergence offers hope, the Spurs will need another team-wide effort to overcome one of the NBA’s most complete squads.
What This Means for San Antonio
Beyond the NBA Cup, this win symbolizes a larger shift for the Spurs. Head coach Gregg Popovich’s latest project — building around Wembanyama, Castle, and a deep supporting roster — is showing signs of early success. The team is learning how to win big games, compete without their stars, and grow through adversity.
The Spurs’ rise is no fluke. They’ve earned their spot in the semifinals and, more importantly, they’re building the foundation for a future that looks as promising as any team in the West.
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