Coming off a blowout win against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks for the final time this season. Just like the Grizzlies game, the Spurs completely outmatched the depleted Bucks on both ends. After outscoring them 37-24 in the first, they never looked back. They led by as much as 38 points, thanks to dominant performances from Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama, alongside the team shooting 40% from three. The Spurs ultimately won wire-to-wire. 127-95.
Stephon Castle dropped his fourth career triple-double: 22 points (9-13 FG), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Steph dropped one of the quieter triple-doubles. While the rest of the team was on fire from three, Steph took his time and attacked the paint. He also drained two threes alongside dishing out multiple lobs and diming up open shooters and cutters. He reached nine rebounds early in the fourth, but Mitch Johnson took him out with over seven minutes left. Thankfully, Mitch subbed him back in minutes later, and he grabbed his 10th board. Nonetheless of how he achieved the feat, Steph is a young star who could very well be an all-star next season.
Spin cycle! Steph isos Ryan Rollins and spins off of him, driving into the paint. He then uses his decel move for the layup!
AREA 51 PART 1: Steph beats the Bucks’ zone defense by catching the ball at the free-throw line and immediately lobbing it up to a cutting Wemby for the easy slam!
WEIGHT ROOM! Steph sprints down the court in transition and muscles through Taurean Prince for the finish!
AREA 51 PART 2: Deja vu on the Steph to Wemby lob connection!
Several of Steph’s teammates were asked about his performance after the game. Safe to say, they were impressed!
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 23 points (9-10 FT) and 15 rebounds to go along with six assists, two steals, and a block. Wemby dominated the boards and was dishing out several dimes. As far as his points go, his midrange and three-pointer were not effective, but every time he got into the paint, he was either fouled or he was slamming down lob passes and breakaway dunks. He only recorded one block, but throughout the game, there were several Bucks’ players who did not want to shoot over him at the midrange and in the paint. Those are called ‘neverminds’, and Wemby forces every player to think twice about attempting a shot with him lurking.
BEHIND THE BACK! Wemby pulls off a move that usually guards pull off: a behind-the-back pass to a wide-open Steph for the powerful slam!
Lob City Dimer! Wemby leads the fastbreak and finds a cutting Carter Bryant for the alley-oop!
AREA 51 PART 3: Another Steph to Wemby lob, and this time Wemby posterizes Myles Turner with one hand!
FLIGHT 1 IS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF! Wemby fakes out Turner and drives in with a double-clutch slam!
Devin Vassell dropped 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3PT), four rebounds, three steals, a dime, and a block. Dev was efficient from the field and provided an extra boost on defense. He snuck into the passing lanes and even pickpocketed Rollins. Dev is now shooting 39% from three this season, but the most underrated part of his game is coming up with good defensive rotations on the perimeter. With him and Julian Champagnie as key floor spacers, it makes it that much harder for teams to shut down this offense.
PINPOINT! Dev nails the wide-open three from the wing late in the first!
D3V AGAIN! Keldon Johnson finds Dev again for the wide-open three!
Keldon Johnson dropped 16 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT), five assists, and a steal. KJ was uber-efficient and a playmaker for both the starters and the bench. He made great cuts to the basket and drained two threes. His ability to get a bucket by any means necessary has been a great spark plug when the offense goes cold, and he showed off his post moves, resulting in multiple tough buckets. Another great game for his 6MOTY candidacy.
Don’t fall asleep! KJ cuts to the basket, and Dylan Harper feeds him a nice bounce pass for the open jam!
GET BIG! KJ drives in on Turner and finishes over him with the right hand!
Dylan Harper dropped 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3PT), two assists, one rebound, and one steal. In just 21 minutes, Dyl put on a show in the open court. Anytime Dyl had the ball one-on-one, his craftiness allowed him to finish at the rim no matter who was in front of him. He also drained two threes. In March, he is shooting 59% from the field and 54% from three-point range. Dyl is heating up at the right time with the playoffs now two weeks away.
Smooth operator! Dyl puts multiple moves on Ousmane Dieng. He does a crossover into a half spin and switches hands on the reverse layup!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 12 points (6-9 FG), six assists, two rebounds, and a steal. D-Fox got his buckets strictly from the midrange and the paint. Just like Wemby, he also finished with six assists. His lightning-quick speed mixed with his dribble moves results in easier buckets due to the created space. The two-time all-star continues to pick his spots and lets others shine as long as the team is winning.
Fox dime! D-Fox finds an open Champagnie, who pops the champagne for three! Julian finished with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3PT), four rebounds, and two steals.
Too crafty and too fast! On the fastbreak, D-Fox stops at the three-point line, gives a quick look to the backcourt, and splits two defenders for the open layup!
AND-ONE MIDDY! D-Fox puts a move on Turner, and Turner fouls him on the jumper for the and-one!
All in all, this was one of several games this season that was wrapped up nice and early. The poise and maturity this team has shown since the first half of the season is leaps and bounds ahead of schedule. This was also a game where the silver and black were at full strength. As the regular season draws to a close, this team will have a key matchup against the Denver Nuggets on April 2nd and on April 12th. Those matchups will help prepare this team for what is to come this postseason.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs return home to take on the Chicago Bulls this Monday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on Peacock/NBCSN EXTRA/FDSN-SW.
