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SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs set the tone early and never looked back, dismantling the Golden State Warriors 123-85 on Friday night. The Spurs opened the game with an 18-0 run and held a double-digit lead for the final 96% of the contest, securing a wire-to-wire victory.
Stephon Castle led all scorers with 32 points, including five three-pointers, while Victor Wembanyama anchored a defense that suffocated Golden State. Wembanyama recorded another double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in just 21 minutes of action.
San Antonio's defense was impenetrable, particularly when Wembanyama was on the court. The Warriors failed to score a single point in the first quarter during his minutes. Castle's early three-pointers, often assisted by Wembanyama, set the offensive tone for the night.
"I think the defense probably ignites the offense more than vice versa," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after the game. "So I still lean into the defense. Thought we were pretty on point with some of our game plan execution stuff and attention to detail."
Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had expressed a desire to play physically against Wembanyama before the game, but it was Draymond Green who executed that plan. Green struck Wembanyama in the neck and later shoved him in the back on a rebound, earning a flagrant foul.
"It's not a good basketball strategy, and it shows," Wembanyama said. "I'm ready to put my body on the line for the team if that allows us to win by 40." Wembanyama calmly got up each time he was knocked down.
The Spurs' bench contributed 58 points, with Keldon Johnson adding 18 and Harrison Barnes chipping in 11. Although the Warriors slightly outshot the Spurs from beyond the arc, San Antonio dominated inside, doubling Golden State's paint scoring 56-28.
San Antonio's 11-game winning streak now includes another blowout, but this performance stood out for its dominance. The Spurs will next travel to Utah to face the Jazz in a Sunday matinee.
Key Analysis
The Spurs' defensive prowess was on full display, holding the Warriors to 85 points and limiting their effectiveness inside. Wembanyama's presence altered the game even without gaudy scoring numbers, while Castle's sharpshooting provided the offensive spark. Golden State's physical tactics against Wembanyama proved futile, as San Antonio's depth and execution overwhelmed them. This win solidifies the Spurs' status as a formidable force during their winning streak.