MILWAUKEE – In a commanding performance, Stephon Castle achieved a triple-double with 22 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a decisive 127-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. This win marked the Spurs’ eighth consecutive triumph and their 13th in the last 14 games, placing them just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Spurs showcased a balanced offensive effort, with seven players scoring in double figures. Victor Wembanyama contributed significantly, adding 23 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists to the team’s total. San Antonio dominated the game from the outset, never trailing and shooting an impressive 55.1% from the field (49 of 89).
The loss was particularly tough for Milwaukee, effectively eliminating the Bucks from playoff contention and snapping their streak of nine consecutive postseason appearances. The team has struggled recently, losing nine of their last 11 games. Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent for the sixth consecutive game due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, contributing to the team’s woes. The Bucks were also without several other key players, including Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Harris, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to mount a significant challenge against the Spurs. San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell added 16 points each, while Dylan Harper scored 14, De’Aaron Fox contributed 12, and Julian Champagnie chipped in with 11.
The Spurs wrapped up a three-game road trip with this victory and will return home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Following that, they will hit the road again for three more games. The game against the Bucks featured a highlight play, showcasing Castle’s skills with a spectacular dunk off a behind-the-back pass from Wembanyama, further emphasizing the Spurs’ dominance in the first half, where they led by as many as 28 points and finished the half at 67-45.
In the third quarter, Milwaukee showed some resilience, outscoring San Antonio 13-4 in the early minutes to cut the lead to 13. However, that was as close as they would come, as the Spurs increased their lead to 38 points at one point.
Upcoming Games
The Spurs will host the Chicago Bulls on Monday, while the Bucks will look to regroup and face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
