The Dallas Mavericks’ first road test following a franchise-altering trade deadline unfolded much like their previous meeting with San Antonio, only louder, faster, and more decisive.
Powered by a historic performance from Stephon Castle, the San Antonio Spurs overwhelmed the Dallas Mavericks 138–125 on Saturday night at Frost Bank Center, setting a season high for points in a half and completing a two-game sweep that underscored the widening gap between a contender in rhythm and a team still searching for cohesion.
Castle delivered the best game of his young career, posting 40 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for his second career triple-double. With the performance, he joined Hall of Famer David Robinson as the only players in franchise history to record a 40-point triple-double. Castle capped the night by following his own miss with a windmill dunk that pushed San Antonio’s lead to 129–108 with 6:26 remaining, sending the home crowd into a roar and effectively closing the door on any comeback attempt.
The Spurs improved to 36–16, winning their fourth straight and ninth of their last 12 games. Dallas, meanwhile, fell to 19–33, extending its losing streak to seven games — the longest for the franchise since March 2019.
First-Half Barrage Sets the Tone
For the second time in three nights, San Antonio turned Dallas’ defensive lapses into an avalanche of points. The Spurs poured in 81 points before halftime, the fourth-highest scoring half in franchise history and the most points the Mavericks have allowed in any half this season.
Dallas briefly appeared capable of matching the pace early. The Mavericks led 51–49 with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, fueled by ball movement and timely perimeter shooting. That stretch proved fleeting. San Antonio responded with a blistering run, attacking in transition, crashing the offensive glass and exploiting mismatches before Dallas could set its defense.
By halftime, the Spurs held an 81–67 lead, shooting efficiently across the floor and repeatedly punishing missed shots with fast-break opportunities.
After the game, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd pointed directly to Dallas’ inability to recover defensively after missed shots.
“We didn’t hear anything about our defense being included in the trade,” Kidd said. “Our transition defense wasn’t very good. Missed shots. They took advantage of missed shots. They got out and ran. And they played at a faster pace than we did this evening. They made a conscious effort to run tonight.”
Stephon Castle Controls the Game as San Antonio Spurs Pull Away
While Dallas did a better job limiting Victor Wembanyama than it had two nights earlier in Dallas, Castle seized control of the game in virtually every other way. He scored at all three levels, orchestrated offense out of pick-and-rolls and consistently collapsed the Mavericks’ defense before spraying the ball to open shooters or finishing at the rim himself.
Castle was nearly flawless, finishing 15 of 19 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc while adding three steals. Through three quarters, he was a plus-36, and by the time the Spurs built their largest lead of 28 late in the third, the outcome had long been decided.
Kidd acknowledged the difficulty of containing Castle, particularly early.
“Yeah, he was good,” Kidd said. “I think he was perfect there in the first half, and he continued that in the second half. He was attacking, he made every shot he took. Threes included — he knocked them down. He was aggressive. Incredible game: 40 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. He was good tonight.”
Mitch Johnson Details the Turning Point and San Antonio Spurs’ Identity
From San Antonio’s perspective, the separation was not accidental. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson pointed to a second-quarter stretch in which Castle’s physicality and defensive resistance changed the texture of the game.
“I thought he flipped the game for us in the second quarter,” Johnson said. “We were extremely sloppy with our turnovers and had some really glaring game-plan execution breakdowns defensively. I thought he came in and set a tone with his physicality and resistance on defense.”
Johnson said Castle’s willingness to embrace contact and defend without fouling unlocked everything else the Spurs wanted to do.
“When you have that approach, it’s amazing — you start finding wide-open shots because teams leave him open, you get offensive rebounds, steals, blocks, and it becomes contagious for his teammates,” Johnson said. “I thought he flipped the game, and we were pleased to see them keep their foot on the pedal.”
That theme tied directly into San Antonio’s renewed emphasis on pace, which Johnson said has reemerged after a brief lull earlier in the season.
“We’ve gotten back the last few games to playing with our pace,” Johnson said. “We took a step back there for a minute. When you start getting bumps and bruises, that can be one of the first things that goes. … We’re seeing the advantages it creates and the pressure it puts on a defense when we continue to play with pace.”
Defensively, Johnson highlighted the Spurs’ 11 blocked shots as a product of collective buy-in rather than individual effort.
“We want Victor to go get everything,” Johnson said. “The ripple effect of that is we’ve got to have his back. … Our side and rear contests by perimeter players were better tonight too. Multiple efforts and contests are a big part of our defense, and tonight it was more consistent.”
Victor Wembanyama on Stephon Castle, Development, and Accountability
Wembanyama echoed that view, describing Castle’s performance as a reflection of decision-making as much as shot-making.
“When you have a guy performing like that, it’s almost like he’s out-coaching the other team,” Wembanyama said. “Stephon played the right way. He capitalized on the defense’s choices and made them pay.”
Wembanyama also pointed to growth elsewhere on the roster, singling out Carter Bryant’s contributions.
“He’s been better and better,” Wembanyama said. “That was one of the best games of his career. It’s just the beginning for him.”
Asked about his own approach, Wembanyama framed his mindset around accountability and winning.
“Winning is so important to me that I’m willing to sacrifice individual stuff,” he said. “I want the same treatment as everybody. I want accountability.”
Wembanyama said the upcoming Rodeo Road Trip presents challenges but also an opportunity to strengthen chemistry.
“It is different, especially with the break in between and being away from home so long,” he said. “But it’s still fun being on the road with the group.”
He also noted visible progress from Cooper Flagg, whom the Spurs have now faced three times.
“Very different from the beginning of the season,” Wembanyama said. “You can tell he’s figuring it out. He’s a very impactful player most nights and has a lot of room to get even better.”
Marvin Bagley III Makes Immediate Impact, Sets Dallas Mavericks Franchise Record
One of the few bright spots for Dallas came from the bench, where Marvin Bagley III made an immediate impact in his Mavericks debut. Acquired at the deadline and inserted quickly into the rotation, Bagley brought energy, rim pressure and physicality that stood out even as the game tilted heavily in San Antonio’s favor.
Bagley finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 24 minutes. His work on the offensive glass etched his name into franchise history. He collected eight offensive rebounds, setting the Mavericks’ record for most offensive boards in a Dallas debut, surpassing the previous mark of six set by Chris Gatling against Denver on Nov. 1, 1996, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“Oh man, I just tried to go out there and play my game — be myself,” Bagley said. “It’s tiring, but that’s part of the job.”
Cooper Flagg Limited as Historic Scoring Streak Ends
Flagg entered the night riding a historic stretch of four consecutive 30-point games, but that run came to an end as his night was cut short by back stiffness. He finished with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes and did not return in the fourth quarter.
“His back got sore and stiffened up on him, so we couldn’t bring him back,” Kidd said. “I thought he had some good looks. He made some great plays that we just didn’t knock down.”
Castle said the Spurs’ defensive approach focused on crowding Flagg and forcing early decisions.
“He’s a great player,” Castle said. “We tried to make him give the ball up, keep him in the half court, and make things tough for him.”
Stephon Castle Reflects on Breakthrough Night
Afterward, Castle credited discipline and patience for his breakout performance.
“Just not forcing it,” Castle said. “It came within the game. I started by trying to find my teammates, set screens, get them open looks, then create my offense off that.”
Castle said the night carried personal significance beyond the stat line.
“Obviously it jumps,” he said of his confidence. “It’s a dream come true.”
He also acknowledged the historical context.
“Just hearing my name alongside [David Robinson’s] is special,” Castle said. “I’m honored to even be in that conversation.”
As fans chanted his name late, Castle said the moment felt surreal.
“It doesn’t feel real sometimes,” he said. “Being young in my career and having that support is special.”
San Antonio Spurs Close Strong as Dallas Mavericks Look Ahead
Dallas received 19 points from Klay Thompson, 18 from Brandon Williams and 17 from Max Christie, but the offense could not compensate for defensive breakdowns that allowed 28 fast-break points and 74 points in the paint.
San Antonio will not return to Frost Bank Center until March 5 as it begins its annual Rodeo Road Trip. The Mavericks will try to snap their seven-game skid Tuesday night in Phoenix as they continue integrating new pieces into a rotation still very much in flux.
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