Highlights: “Area 51” on full display in Spurs win over the Warriors.
The San Antonio Spurs have a budding young duo that has earned an exciting new nickname. Victor Wembanyama may have found his running mate in the rookie Stephon Castle. Wembanyama is “The Alien” and their numbers are “5” and “1”. “Area 51” is an apt nickname.
Wembanyama and Castle were incredible down the stretch, as the Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 104-94. San Antonio needed a comeback again, going on a 40-13 run in the last 13 minutes to win their third straight game and improve their record to 9-8.
Castle and Wembanyama took turns making clutch shots during the Spurs fourth quarter run. Castle officially took the lead on a gutsy pull-up three. This came right after he contested a shot at the rim that stopped the Warriors from finishing a lay-up. Not enough can be said about Castle’s willingness to attack in crunch time, a rare trait for a rookie. He had 19 points and 3 assists in the victory. Castle really got the run started at the end of the third with his defense and aggressive driving to the basket. He was disruptive at the point of attack all game. He held Stephen Curry to 14 points on 5-16 shooting from the field and 3-10 from three. Wembanyama was impactful inside and out. He had 25 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 blocks. His three-point shot was just off most of the game, but he hit clutch shots from deep when San Antonio needed them.The Spurs got creative in getting Wembanyama the ball down the stretch. They ran cross screens to get him the ball in the paint, and got him involved in the pick and roll. Here we see the 7-foot-3 center come off a pindown and then hit a three off the dribble. Abnormal for most, routine for Wemby.San Antonio’s defense was stellar late in the game. The Spurs’ acting coach, Mitch Johnson, went to a defensive lineup that included Castle, Wembanyama, Tre Jones, Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie to seal the game. Castle made Curry’s life miserable on the perimeter, and Wembanyama locked down the paint with some clutch shot blocking.Wembanyama’s passing was on full display on Saturday. This lob to Champagnie on the short roll is such a fun aspect of the Spurs offense. A big man with that kind of passing ability opens up so much. His connection with the cutting Barnes late in the game helped the Spurs seal a victory. Barnes has been fantastic over the Spurs last three games. He added 22 points and 8 rebounds in the win against Golden State. His shooting efficiency from deep have been a huge help, but his cutting and finishing make him a well-rounded wing that gives San Antonio’s offense a huge boost. .Barnes and Wembanyama’s connection has become so much fun. The veteran’s instincts to find open space when defenses collapse on Wemby is second to none. Both teams put on a ball-movement display on Saturday. This clip may remind you of a certain brand of basketball… some would call it… beautiful.
The Spurs will look to extend their winning streak against the Utah Jazz in their third NBA Cup game on Tuesday. Find full highlights from their win over the Warriors below.
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