Stephon Castle just provided further proof that he’s about to become one of the NBA’s premier guards. He added another jaw-dropping performance to his elite sophomore season, notching 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in the Spurs’ series-clinching victory over the Timberwolves.
Castle spent the entire season altering his reputation. Coming into the year, he was known primarily as a strong defensive guard who could slash to the rim at a high level. Now, his all-around impact as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and defender is impossible to ignore.
His Game 6 performance was a peek into his future as one of the league’s most dangerous guards. He did so much on the court to seal the series for San Antonio, leading them to heights not reached since 2017.
Stephon Castle’s shooting was absolutely lethal
The most glaring thing from Castle’s performance was his stroke from distance. He shot 71% in that category, further punishing defenses that dared him to prove himself there. He even set the tone in the first quarter with two long-range jumpers, making Chris Finch second-guess his early game strategy.
But what I found most impressive was how he got these shots off. They weren’t just catch-and-shoot looks. Stephon’s off-the-dribble confidence reached peak levels tonight, showing off the next major evolution in his offensive game.
If that trend stays intact, the Thunder have their work cut out for them in the Western Conference Finals. It’s already difficult to keep him out of the paint; now they have to adjust their approach to ensure that he doesn’t beat them from deep as he did to Minnesota. The “dare Stephon to shoot” formula just doesn’t feel as effective anymore.
And this was not some single-game fluke. Castle’s knocked down well over 39% of his threes through the entirety of the playoffs, extending a trend that started in the post-All-Star-break stretch.
Castle’s toughness will translate to the next series
When watching Stephon, you cannot look past the physicality and toughness that he brings as a ball handler. He’s not afraid to bump up against tough defenders and put his shoulder down to bully his way to the basket.
That is the perfect way to play against a team like the Thunder, which has a surplus of hard-nosed perimeter defensive options. You can count out any concerns about Castle’s ability to adjust to OKC’s grind-out style. He can match their intensity with the ball in his hands.
He does need to watch out for the offensive fouls. There are times when he can get a bit too aggressive as a ball-handler, throwing around his off-arm, which has led to turnovers. Getting that under control will go a long way for San Antonio if they want to advance past the defending champs.
All in all, the message is simple: Stephon Castle has arrived. He answered questions and silenced critics by translating his regular-season developments over to the biggest stage in basketball.
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