Spurs Hit Their Stride Heading Into All-Star Break, Riding Wembanyama’s Dominance and Castle’s Emergence
Don’t look now, but the San Antonio Spurs are heating up - and not just in the box score. After a rocky start to the season, Week 17 saw the Spurs flex their depth, composure, and rising star power with a pair of road wins that extended their win streak to six games and sent them into the All-Star break as arguably the hottest team in the league.
Let’s break it down.
Week 17 Recap: 2-0 (38-16 overall, 2nd in the West)
136-108 win at Los Angeles Lakers
This one was over before it started. In a scheduling quirk stemming from the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, the Spurs found themselves playing at Crypto.com Arena for the third time this season - and they made it count. The Lakers were without Luka Doncic (hamstring), while LeBron James and Austin Reaves sat out for rest on the second night of a back-to-back.
Enter Victor Wembanyama.
The 7'4" phenom turned the first quarter into his personal highlight reel, dropping 25 points in the first eight minutes - yes, you read that right - and 37 in the first half. He capped the night with 40 points in total, barely breaking a sweat in the second half as the Spurs cruised to a rare wire-to-wire blowout.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Wembanyama didn’t just look like the best player on the floor. He looked like the best player in the building, period.
126-113 win at Golden State Warriors
The very next night, the Spurs faced a different kind of test. No Steph Curry.
No Jimmy Butler. But the Warriors still came out swinging, and the Spurs - on the second night of a back-to-back - looked flat early, especially on the defensive end.
They fell behind by as many as 16 points in the third quarter.
But this team has developed a habit lately: they don’t panic.
With about 18 minutes to play, the Spurs flipped the switch. They tightened the screws on defense, attacked the paint with purpose, and wore the Warriors down.
It wasn’t flashy - just smart, physical, winning basketball. The comeback win marked their sixth straight and sent them into the break with serious momentum.
The Castle-Wemby Connection Is Getting Real
While Wembanyama continues to do alien things on a nightly basis, it’s Stephon Castle who’s starting to look like the Spurs’ X-factor. His historic 40-12-12 triple-double against Dallas earlier in the week wasn’t just a stat-padding performance - it was a glimpse into what this backcourt could become.
Castle’s confidence is growing, and while his three-point shooting remains a work in progress (28.8% on the season), his ability to control pace, attack mismatches, and defend at a high level makes him a matchup nightmare in his own right.
And let’s not forget Dylan Harper, another rookie still finding his rhythm. His outside shot (25.2%) hasn’t come around yet either, but the foundation is there - and with the playoffs looming, the Spurs are giving both young guards the green light. They’ll need to be ready when defenses start daring them to shoot.
Power Rankings Check-In
- The Athletic (Law Murray): Up to No. 2 this week, climbing past teams they’ve beaten multiple times this season.
- Bleacher Report (Andy Bailey): Also has the Spurs at No. 2, noting how far ahead of schedule this team is - and how dangerous they could be if the shooting improves.
One notable moment came from Team USA assistant coach Mitch Johnson during All-Star weekend, who openly questioned why a team with San Antonio’s record and head-to-head success only had one All-Star. His point? If Castle and Fox aren’t All-Stars, then Wembanyama should be leading the MVP race.
Hard to argue with that.
All-Star Weekend Recap
The Spurs were well represented in Indianapolis, even if they didn’t walk away with much hardware.
- Rising Stars Challenge: Castle, Harper, and Carter Bryant all suited up - a clear sign that the Spurs’ youth movement is alive and well.
- Dunk Contest: Carter Bryant nearly stole the show on Saturday night, giving fans a glimpse of his explosive athleticism.
Despite the strong presence, the Spurs came up just short in most events - which, if anything, might just add fuel to the fire heading into the final stretch of the season.
Looking Ahead: Two Games in Austin Before the Road Resumes
The Rodeo Road Trip continues, but this week brings a bit of a breather. For once, the Spurs were able to align their two Austin games with the trip, giving them a short reprieve from the grind of travel.
First up: a rematch with the Phoenix Suns - a potential playoff opponent - who got the better of the Spurs earlier this season. But this time, they’ll be without Dillon Brooks, suspended after picking up his 16th technical foul. (Yes, already.)
Then it’s the Sacramento Kings, a team still searching for consistency. DeMar DeRozan might be motivated facing his former squad, but unless the Kings find another gear, the Spurs should have the edge - especially if they bring the same defensive intensity we’ve seen over the last two weeks.
Bottom Line
This Spurs team is ahead of schedule - and they know it. Wembanyama is doing things we haven’t seen from a rookie in decades, Castle is blossoming into a legitimate two-way force, and the supporting cast is buying in on both ends of the floor.
There are still questions - especially around perimeter shooting - but the identity is forming. Tough, unselfish, and built to evolve. If this is what the Spurs look like before the playoffs, just imagine what they might become when the lights get even brighter.