The San Antonio Spurs are heading into Game 2 of the NBA Finals trailing 1-0, but Stephon Castle made it clear that confidence inside the locker room has not changed.
Speaking to reporters Thursday ahead of Friday’s Game 2 against the New York Knicks, Castle repeatedly stressed that San Antonio believes its Game 1 loss was more about self-inflicted mistakes than anything the Knicks did to take control of the series.
“I don’t think we have anything to be too worried about,” Castle said. “I mean, obviously, we feel like we’re the better team and we didn’t play well and still had a chance to win.”
The Spurs appeared in control for much of Game 1 before New York erased a 14-point second-half deficit and closed the game on an 11-0 run to secure a 105-95 victory. The Knicks now carry a 12-game playoff winning streak into Game 2 and have stolen home-court advantage in the series.
Castle pointed to San Antonio’s offensive execution as the biggest issue.
“I think for the most part just we didn’t make the extra pass as much as we usually do,” he said. “We kind of settled a lot more than we usually do.”
The 21-year-old guard explained that the Spurs repeatedly generated similar looks but drifted away from the ball movement that helped them win 62 regular-season games and reach the Finals.
“Not getting bored with making the right read over and over again is something that we have to look to do for next game,” Castle said. “It comes down to making shots too.”
Castle also echoed comments made by Victor Wembanyama after Game 1, saying the Spurs saw plenty of correctable mistakes during film review.
“We’ve been down in a series before,” Castle said. “Really all playoffs has taken us more than a half to get settled into a game. So, just trying to be ourselves.”
He acknowledged that the Finals stage may have played a role in San Antonio’s slow start.
“Most of our first time being in the finals, so obviously a big moment for a lot of us,” Castle said. “We’re overly excited to get out there and play, so that could definitely be a part of it.”
One of Castle’s biggest responsibilities in the series is helping defend Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who scored 30 points in Game 1 and poured in 13 during the fourth quarter.
Asked about the difference between guarding Brunson and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom the Spurs faced in the Western Conference Finals, Castle noted several similarities.
“Shai, he’s more of a threat to get all the way downhill,” Castle said. “I think Jalen, he likes to use angles a lot more. Uses probably a little bit more pump fakes than Shai.”
Castle added that Brunson’s ability to reach preferred spots in the mid-range is a major challenge.
“Just trying to keep him from doing that,” he said.
The Spurs guard also praised Knicks wing Josh Hart, who spent much of Game 1 defending him.
“He’s very physical,” Castle said. “Just constant pressure, very physical, but does it calculated and smart and tries to do it without fouling.”
Despite the disappointment of dropping the opener at home, Castle believes San Antonio’s confidence remains one of its strengths.
“I don’t think we’ll ever change from being this way and having this kind of confidence in each other,” Castle said. “We just going to take it game by game and walk this thing down.”
Game 2 is set for Friday night in San Antonio, with the Spurs attempting to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole before the Finals shift to New York.
