Look, at this point in the season, it’s not about the win. It’s not about the playoffs (playoffs?!), it’s not even about practice (Practice. We’re talking about practice?), and it’s definitely not about (looks around to see if anyone is listening) (whispers) “tanking.” It’s about vibes, man (and woman—we are all just vibing).
Russell Westbrook led all players with 30 points, DeAndre Jordan had a double-double, and Chris Paul scored 17 points—but it’s not 2016. The latter two players are not with the Los Angeles Clippers anymore, and if you are a San Antonio Spurs fan that happens to be reading this right after waking up from being in a coma since 2017, Kawhi Leonard is now a Clipper! And James Harden is his teammate! And if you don’t want to be shocked back into a coma, definitely do not attempt to read the next sentence: In episode 4 of season 3 of “The White Lotus” . . . , the Dallas Mavericks trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis (oh yeah, I guess if you haven’t been awake since 2017, now is a good time as any to tell you that LeBron James is now a Los Angeles Laker!)—the NBA is wild!
But on Wednesday in the year of our franchise savior David Robinson, Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 20 points, and rookie sensation Stephon Castle almost notched a triple-double with a 15 point, 15 rebound, 9 assist box score.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again until I’m silver and black in the face, but you just don’t see many rookies with this sort of court IQ and awareness: Stephon Castle subtly fakes a shot attempt only to deftly flip the pass to an open Sandro Mamukelashvili.
I don’t get to say “wily veteran” often so it’s cromulent to say that wily veteran Harrison Barnes methodically worked his way to the basket for this uncontested two. It will be interesting to see where Barnes fits in with the Spurs next season with 2 more years on his original extension with the Sacramento Kings. He’s a valuable, wily veteran for a team of youngsters, but at some point Jeremy Sochan should be soaking up the minutes that Barnes occupied for most of the season.
> [pic.twitter.com/YQWJZ0QbxX](https://t.co/YQWJZ0QbxX)
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> — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) [April 3, 2025](https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1907623424811315395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Malaki Branham busted out a sweet crossover move (and between the legs!) to breeze past his defender for the bucket. Branham for his part provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on 6 - 15 shooting.
One of my favorite, but seldomly seen, basketball plays is the steal immediately after the other player grabs a rebound. It’s 100% hustle and can provide an instant momentum boost. On this play, I could almost hear Jordan McLaughlin say “yoink!” as he swiped the board and immediately finds Barnes for the open three.
I would pay good money to watch a Mamukelashvili/Castle doubles beach volleyball match against Maverick and Iceman (RIP Val Kilmer). Money is on Mamu and Steph based on pure height advantage and athleticism, but don’t underestimate Mav’s reckless and “dangerous” style and Iceman’s smooth, no mistakes game.
If you missed the game because you were too busy watching “Willow,” “Tombstone,” and “The Ghost and the Darkness,” here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs head on home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, April 4, 2025.