Guard Stephon Castle rebounded from a difficult Game 2 to score 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting Monday night, helping the San Antonio Spurs secure a Game 3 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
The 21-year-old hit a contested three-pointer with 1:52 remaining and sank two free throws with 7.0 seconds left, stretching the lead to four. Castle committed only two turnovers after recording four in the previous outing.
“He’s shown over and over again that he’s capable,” center Victor Wembanyama said, calling Castle “the most mature player on our team” despite his age.
Fox passes up foul, trusts sophomore guard
With San Antonio ahead 108-106 and 9.4 seconds on the clock, De’Aaron Fox inbounded to Castle and immediately tossed the ball back to him, avoiding an intentional foul. “His personality, his demeanor, that’s the way he is,” Fox said. “His game is definitely mature beyond his years.”
Fox finished 3-for-13 from the field for the second time in the series but hit a mid-range jumper with 12 seconds left to give the Spurs a five-point cushion. Head coach Mitch Johnson called Fox “one of the best closers in this league for the last five to seven years.”
Wembanyama’s big night, MSG reception
Wembanyama posted 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists in Game 3. The performance, coupled with fan frustration over perceived non-calls, turned the 22-year-old into Madison Square Garden’s newest target. Asked about the reaction, he smiled: “I’m nowhere near Trae Young level though.”
Rotation notes
San Antonio closed Game 3 with a three-guard lineup, inserting Dylan Harper for Julian Champagnie alongside the regular starters. Veteran forward Harrison Barnes logged his first postseason DNP-CD of the year. The Spurs will try to even the series at 2-2 on Wednesday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
