Stephon Castle spoke on Thursday, May 14, ahead of Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, focusing heavily on physicality, in-game adjustments, and team response during key stretches of the series.
With the series at a decisive stage, Castle described the expectation of a physical contest from the opening tip.
“Yeah, I feel like to start the game, we knew it was gonna be physical. So just making that a point of emphasis and trying to keep them off the offensive glass, I thought we started the game off well, and that’s where our runs came from. But obviously, they’re a good team. They’re gonna go on their own run. So just trying not to hang our head when that does happen and being able to respond and spark another run for ourselves.”
Castle also addressed how the group handled momentum swings, pointing to composure after halftime adjustments.
“Yeah, I mean, just trying to let it come to me. Not really trying to force any shots, trying to take the shots that were the right ones and that were there for me. When I was able to draw two and kick out, we had a lot of success. Eventually they’re going to have to start fanning back out, and that’s when the paint opened up most for us.”
On the topic of officiating and physical defense across the series, Castle emphasized adaptability.
“I don’t know. I mean, we knew everything that happened in the last 48 hours, that they were going to call it pretty tight, especially early on in the game. That’s just a thing you have to work through game to game. Because if you’re not physical with them, they have a lot of guys that can score in ISOs and play one-on-one. So in order to get stops and be able to contest with them, you have to be physical. But yeah, just trying to play smart and see how the ref is calling it.”
Castle also reflected on the return and impact of Victor Wembanyama.
“I mean, I feel like we got the Vic that you’ve seen all year. I just think his maturity level was off the charts. He played smart, didn’t really foul much, and took the shots that were there for him. When he’s playing like that, playing aggressive with everything that he brings for us defensively, I feel like we’re pretty hard to beat.”
He added that Wembanyama’s mindset after Game 4 stood out to the team.
“I think just where his mindset has been at the last 48 hours. I know he wanted to finish Game 4, but not letting that get to him and coming out and playing like that, I thought it was a big reason why we won.”
Castle also highlighted Keldon Johnson’s impact and a key defensive sequence in the series.
“Yeah, I think it was big for him. Having a game like that in not that much time and being very efficient, we need him. He’s been that for us all year. He’s also one of the reasons why we’re number two in the West. We need that version of KJ every night.”
On Johnson’s block against Rudy Gobert, Castle said:
“I mean, he saved two points. They were on a run. He saved two points. And from what I remember, that was the beginning of when he started going again offensively and when we started our run back up. So it was a big play.”
Defensively, Castle credited assistant coach Sean Sweeney for structural improvements throughout the season.
“He’s been great for us. One of the main reasons why we’re one of the top defenses in the league. I just think his attention to detail on everything and the way he can explain things to make it make sense for us, where he puts guys on the spots, and helping us out with tendencies and what guys like to do.”
Game 6 shifts to Minneapolis on Friday night with the Spurs holding a 3-2 series lead and an opportunity to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
