The San Antonio Spurs routed the Golden State Warriors 123-85 on Friday at the Frost Bank Center, extending their winning streak to 11 games. Stephon Castle led the way with a season-high 32 points, shooting 12-of-18 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range, while also contributing six assists and five rebounds. The victory was the Spurs' most lopsided of the season and matched their longest winning streak since Victor Wembanyama joined the team in 2023.
Golden State was missing Stephen Curry, who is expected to miss at least two weeks with a right oblique tear suffered in Wednesday's 115-108 loss in Houston. The Spurs took control immediately, opening a 38-14 lead in the first quarter while the Warriors made only five of 25 field-goal attempts in that period, their lowest-scoring quarter of the season. San Antonio led 63-33 at halftime, the fewest first-half points the Spurs had allowed since Phoenix scored 31 on February 7, 2018, and the margin reached 43 points in the third quarter.S1S2
Wembanyama added 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, recording his 121st career double-double, before the Spurs rested their starters and key reserves. Early in the first half he was shoved from behind by Draymond Green, who received a Flagrant 1 foul; Green left the game and finished with four points, three rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes. L.J. Cryer led Golden State with 20 points, making six of 11 three-pointers, and Charles Bassey added 11 as no other Warriors player reached double figures.S1S2
Castle said the biggest obstacle in his third NBA season had been himself, as he adjusted to playing alongside De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper in a crowded backcourt with fewer touches. Opponents had been sagging off him and daring him to shoot threes, and on Friday he accepted that invitation, making more three-pointers than in any game since his 5-of-12 showing in the season-opening loss to Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old former Rookie of the Year also posted his first 30-point game since Game 6 against Minnesota in last season's Western Conference playoffs.S1
The Spurs improved to 11-2 and 2-0 in NBA Cup play, while the Warriors fell to 8-5. San Antonio visits Utah on Sunday, and Golden State travels to New Orleans on Monday.S1S2
