SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using thi s photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The San Antonio Spurs wasted their in-state IH-35 rivals, the Dallas Mavericks on prime time TV (literally, the game was on Prime), improving to 3-0 in the season series. They were bigger, stronger and faster while setting a new season high of 74 points in the paint. They saw little resistance early because of turnovers and misses igniting transition opportunities, yet they also got sloppy with the ball and were caught shading inside the arc multiple times. That in turn gave the Mavs extra opportunities and prevented them from taking off with a large lead and instead, they were only up seven, 39-32, by the end of the first quarter.  A vintage Klay Thompson performance started in the second frame because the Spurs played him loosely, and the Wild Horses raised their pressure, forcing multiple turnovers and even briefly taking the lead. Then some lineup changes followed, and the Spurs’ avalanche ensued to close the half ahead by 14 points.  Stephon Castle was the most impactful player of the half, scoring 21 points on an immaculate eight shots from short and long range, and he racked up four assists to three teammates. He got big-time help from Devin Vassell and Carter Bryant, too. Castle made two more shots before missing for the first time in the third quarter, but he stayed in control, setting up teammates and piercing the heart of the defense for a new career high of 24 points. They eventually seized a 23-point lead thanks to more damage on the break and second-chance scoring, going into the fourth quarter. Then a few starters stayed in until the Mavs started giving up, and the final 12 minutes quickly turned into garbage time, allowing Castle to cap off his historic night with a 40-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double with a bang before sitting, and the Spurs’ third unit finished off the 138-125 win. OH. MY. CASTLE 🤯🫣📺@FanDuelSN_SW, NBA on Prime pic.twitter.com/lpzWozMvMs— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 8, 2026 After the game, Castle was interviewed by the Amazon TV crew. He said it can be anyone’s night because it is a selfless team, but that it was his turn on Saturday. When asked about where he has made the biggest jump in his one-and-a-half seasons, he said, “I think just with my confidence. You know, just being able to read defenses.” He also cited his film work, and Wembanyama playing behind him for his success on defense.  Game Notes The Spurs’ half-court defense was sharp, permitting just 103.1 points per 100 plays, which is good enough for the 66th percentile. They also made Cooper Flagg look ordinary, aside from a few flashes, and he left without shaking any hands. Yet for a while, it was as if both teams were saying “watch this” in transition. All that running unfastened Dallas’ defense further to the point of scrambling. The Spurs had 81 points at intermission, which set a new season high. Additionally, they have scored at least 70 points in the first half nine times this year and are 8-1 on those nights.  Vassell’s movement around screens for jumpers was a stabilizing force in the first half, and he also finished the game with six assists.  The rebounding denying Dallas possessions was a significant reason why the Spurs took over. Despite spending most of his time on the perimeter, Castle was the top rebounder (10), followed by Wembanyama (8), Aside from 40 points, Castle was the team’s top screener, and he also had a triple-double, which is the first in franchise history with that many points. The six turnovers are not as big an eye-sore because he got heavy usage and was taking risks. He still logged a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is excellent. The Mavericks’ bench was better than their starting unit early and gave the Spurs some real problems. San Antonio’s bench wasn’t as effective,  but Dylan Harper logged quality minutes, and Carter Bryant’s contagious energy helped shift things for the Spurs in a positive direction when he checked in. He was loud, a bit wild on defense and gave them some relief points. Wembanyama was asked after the game in his walk-off interview if the team is rounding off at the right time, and he downplayed it, saying they are getting better, but they still need to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder.   Wembanyama and Luke Kornett played well in the back line and were a big reason why the Maverick shot poorly in the restricted area. On top of that, this was only the fourth night this year the Spurs have had double-digit blocks (11). ...read more read less