“It’s hard to scout us, with three dynamic guards. I think when Fox and Steph start the game, we’ve got two of the best guards in the NBA,” Harper shared. “And I think when I come off the bench, I think that’s just another weapon we have. So, I think it opens the floor for everyone, including for Vic. And I think when Vic has all that pressure on him and two people go to him, it just opens the world for us.”

At 11 points per game, Harper ranks seventh on the team in scoring. Playing 22 minutes per night, the second overall pick of this past summer’s draft is seeing the floor significantly less than Castle and Fox. The reigning Rookie of the Year averages 16.6 points in 29.7 minutes, while the two-time NBA All-Star, Fox, is scoring 19 a night in a team-leading 31.6 minutes of action.

“I think that from everywhere we all can score. That’s the beauty of this team. We all can dribble the ball,” Harper added, expanding the praise to other teammates.

“We have a bunch of ball handlers and a bunch of scorers. So, every night is going to be a big night,” Harper continued. “Just for us as a collective group, just to come and help out however we can, it’s great for us.”

Victor Wembanyama heaps praise on Stephon Castle

Though all are dynamic offensively, Harper, Castle, and Fox each have an aspect of their game they do better than the other two. Fox is the best scorer of the three. Harper may be the best at getting to the rim. And Castle is easily the group’s best defender.

“He’s understood his role very well,” Wembanyama said. “The level he’s playing at is really unseen for a second-year player and how it fits in our game plan.”

Nicknamed “Area 51,” as a nod to their jersey numbers and Wembanyama’s ‘Alien’ moniker, Wemby and Castle form one of the most lethal defensive combinations in the NBA.

“I know we make it hard, we make it uncomfortable for people to play against us,” Wembanyama said. “That’s the goal because a guy has to dribble around one of the best on-ball defenders and then has to go shoot a shot against some of the best rim protectors; it’s very tough.”

Dylan Harper soaks in the Spurs’ success

While Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel lead the Rookie of the Year discussion, Harper will likely still be playing this spring when they won’t.

“It feels great,” Harper said of the Spurs’ success. “I think this is the most I’ve won in a long time. So, just having this winning streak and just building off of that and not taking teams for granted, I think, is a big thing for us.”

Thanks to the former Rutgers star, Fox and Castle, the Spurs are currently seeded second in the West. Their standing is much closer to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the top than they are to the teams behind them.

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“I think that’s a sign of growth for a team that, at a certain point, we were probably a little bit of a momentum team. I think earlier in the season our highs were really high, but we were trying to continue to grasp that consistency,” the head coach said. “And I think it’s been fun this month to have some struggle; or some teams or circumstances forced us to find different ways to win.”

What’s considered a nine-game winning streak (they lost to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Final in the middle of that stretch) that included three victories against the Thunder from early to late December propelled the Spurs to the second best record in the West. Save for maybe a night or two when they momentarily flip-flopped with the team directly behind them, the Silver and Black have essentially remained there since then.

“It feels like the guys in that locker room have found a lot of different ways to win, and it feels like that’s a sign of growth,” Johnson said.

During their current hot streak, while the Spurs didn’t get the number of quality wins they recorded earlier in the season, they didn’t fall into any traps. Not to mention their victory at the Detroit Pistons did register as one of their most impressive of the year.

“I think when you look back at this month, there wasn’t one guy who went on some historical stretch or a certain way that we won it every night. I think we played a lot of different styles of teams. And the games that we played this month have taken on a lot of different personalities,” Johnson added. “We’ve had some guys that have had their night, so to speak. And we’ve had some guys that didn’t have their night in terms of ball going in and that things are going your way.”

Players like Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie played very well to close out February. And while Victor Wembanyama leads the way, the Spurs are also deep when it comes to star power. The roster features two-time NBA All-Star De’Aaron Fox, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this past summer’s second overall draft pick, Dylan Harper.

Asked if he’s been able to take in this stretch — and, really, the entire season — Johnson didn’t hesitate.

“No, but I do enjoy the work of being with them. So, it’s kind of a fun balance of being mad and enjoying it all at the same time.”

In his first official season as the Spurs head coach, Johnson is guiding the team to what looks to be the organization’s best campaign since 2016-17 when they advanced to the Western Conference Finals — with signs this group could match the best years the five-time NBA champion franchise has produced.

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“Feels like an accomplishment. I guess, looking back, we could say it’s a satisfying month.

“It feels good.”

In dispatching all 11 opponents they faced from February 1 to February 26, the stretch featured one game that could be considered close by most standards. And that win came by nine points.

“I think we had only one win, which was single digits,” Wemby said, alluding to the team’s first contest of the month, a 112-103 victory vs. the Orlando Magic.

“So does it mean it was perfect? Not at all. But looking back, it’s never going to be perfect, so it’s pretty satisfying,” the generational star continued.

Spurs correct wrongs during February streak

For a month starting in late December, the Spurs found themselves struggling against teams that themselves were struggling. Following a third win in 10 days vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day, San Antonio lost two nights later at home to a Utah Jazz team that was 11-19 heading in. By the time they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans on January 6, the Spurs had dropped four of six with three of those setbacks coming to squads with losing records and the other to a Cleveland Cavaliers team that was a game above .500 when they went into San Antonio.

“We showed that it was one of our weaknesses. I think especially about the defeat against Utah that we had in 2025. After a good series of big matches, we had a few more mediocre defeats,” Wembanyama reflected.

During this 11-game win streak, the team with the second best record in the West handled not only the three teams they faced with losing records, but also took care of business in several contests against shorthanded contenders.

“It was already my state of mind at the time. I think it’s something as a team that has potential, as a team that grows up and has some success at the beginning of the season. For me, these are things that we have to go through. And even if we know that we have to take all the games in the same way, they’re lessons that are learned in the best way by failing, by losing games,” Wemby admitted.

“There is nothing that would have bothered us. I think we have made progress in this regard, even though we are not there yet,” the Spurs leading scorer added.

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama talks championship contention

Asked about whether the Spurs showing in February proves the Spurs are a legitimate title contender, Wembanyama gave no assurances.

“I can’t answer that because it’s the first time I’m in this situation, but to talk about the floor; I think it was something that we really had to raise in the beginning of the season to show that our ceiling is extremely high. We have a great record against the strongest teams in the league.”

In addition to the three aforementioned victories against the defending NBA champions, the Spurs have beaten every Western Conference team except for one that would qualify for the extended postseason, including the Play-In, if the season ended at the end of February. And the one team they haven’t topped — the Los Angeles Clippers — they haven’t played yet.

The Spurs will face the Clippers in early March as they look to extend the league’s best current stretch.

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For one night only, the league is stepping back into the 1990s, and honestly, it couldn’t come at a better time for fans feeling the burnout of modern streaming mazes.

The network is reuniting the heavy hitters that defined an era of basketball television. Bob Costas will lead the play-by-play, joined by the legendary Doug Collins and Mike Fratello, the “Czar of the Telestrator.” The nostalgia trip doesn’t stop at the booth, either.

Jim Gray returns to the sidelines, while Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas, and P.J. Carlesimo will handle the studio duties. To complete the vibe, the broadcast will feature the graphics package and tape elements from the 1995-96 season.

While the presentation is old school, the talent on the floor is the definition of the new era. This matchup carries plenty of weight beyond the broadcast booth. We all remember when Joel Embiid dropped a career-high 70 points on a rookie Victor Wembanyama two years ago, but the landscape looks much different now.

Victor Wembanyama enters this contest averaging 23.7 points and a league-leading 11.2 rebounds per game, spearheading a San Antonio Spurs team that has remarkably won 11 straight games.

On the other side, the Philadelphia 76ers are finding their rhythm at the perfect time. Joel Embiid has scored at least 25 points in 12 consecutive games, and Tyrese Maxey is fresh off setting a franchise record for career three-pointers.

The 76ers currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference at 33-26, looking to keep their three-game win streak alive against a dominant Spurs squad. Seeing the game’s most modern unicorns framed by the classic NBC aesthetic is going to be a trip. Whether you’re there for the Wembanyama blocks or the Bob Costas storytelling, Tuesday night is mandatory viewing.

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“[Stephon] understands his role very well. The level he’s playing at is really unseen for a second-year player,” Wembanyama said of Castle’s defense. “We make it uncomfortable for people playing against us. That’s the goal. Having to dribble around one of the best on-ball defenders and then having to shoot a shot over some of the best rim protectors, that’s very tough.”

The Spurs have the NBA’s third-best record (43-16) amid a league-best 11-game winning streak. Castle’s two-way contributions during his second season have expedited San Antonio’s timeline.

The 21-year-old has been solid offensively, averaging 16.6 points and 6.8 assists on 46.7 percent shooting across 49 appearances. However, Castle’s success in an expanded defensive role has been the catalyst behind his impact.

Stephon Castle blossoming as defensive stopper with ascending Spurs

San Antonio has tasked Castle with defending the league’s top scorers nightly. The 6-foot-6 guard has met the challenge and then some, leading a defensive unit alongside Wembanyama that ranks third in the NBA.

Castle has posted a -4.7 defensive rating swing (team points allowed per 100 possession with a player on vs. off), the NBA’s sixth-best mark among guards who have played over 1,000 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass. The Spurs have posted a 109.3 defensive rating with him and Wembanyama on the floor.

San Antonio held MVP candidate Cade Cunningham to 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting during Monday’s 114-103 win over the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham shot 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) with two turnovers when defended by Castle.

“[Stephon] showed potential for it last year,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “He had some really good moments defensively. This year, we’ve obviously upped the ask, which has upped his opportunity to guard the big-time scorers and guys who dominate the ball in this league. And I think he’s proven his capabilities. I think he has to continue to grow off the ball in other ways. But I think on-ball he has been as good as anybody in the league.”

Stephon Castle defense on Cade Cunningham during the Spurs win over the Pistons

(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/4B5kblpddQ

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 24, 2026

With Castle and Wembanyama already wreaking havoc on opposing offenses, the Spurs have another potential elite on-ball stopper in rookie Dylan Harper. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and above-average athleticism, the No. 2 draft pick has caused problems for opposing ball-handlers at just 19 years old.

Harper is learning on the job while backing up Castle.

“The biggest thing about Stephon is he’s a competitor. I saw that early when I got to San Antonio,” he said. “He’s gonna compete no matter what the situation or who he’s going up against. On the biggest stages, all the work he’s put in is showing. Him being physical [at the point of attack], having elite wings and other guards, and then you have Victor and Luke [Kornet] down at the rim, it’s like pick your poison. You either gotta shoot this pull-up or kick it out.”

The Spurs are currently tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third-best odds (+950) to win the title, trailing only the Denver Nuggets (+600) and Oklahoma City Thunder (+135). Wembanyama, Castle and Harper will each still be on their rookie contract next season.

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Mason Plumlee had originally signed a 10-day contract with the Spurs, and his new deal comes as that 10-day was set to expire. The Spurs’ roster now stands at 15 standard contracts and three two-way contracts.

Plumlee hit the free agent market after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had begun the 2025-26 season with the Charlotte Hornets, but was included as part of the multi-team trade which sent Ousmane Dieng to the Chicago Bulls.

The Thunder then needed a roster spot to complete the agreed upon trade with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Jared McCain, and Plumlee was the casualty.

The No. 22 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Plumlee is in his 13th season in the league. Prior to the Spurs’ signing, he had appeared in 14 games with the Hornets, including two starts, at a little over eight minutes per game. He was averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists with splits of 75 percent shooting from the field and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Plumlee began his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets, and has also had stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns. As far as the Spurs’ current depth chart, Plumlee would appear to behind Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo in terms of centers. He has yet to appear in game for the Spurs.

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“I know I’m in the MVP conversation. Of course, it’s one of my goals,” Wembanyama said following Thursday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I think that the main argument for that is the team’s success. That’s always the first thing. But I’m also conscious that I need to press the gas a little bit during the last part of the season to win that award.”

Wembanyama’s two-way play has elevated San Antonio to the NBA’s third-best record (43-16), only 1.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot. The Spurs are on an NBA-best 11-game winning streak in February.

Victor Wembanyama making MVP case while leading Spurs’ rise in NBA standings

Wembyanyamaa has averaged 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .501/.347/.815 shooting splits across 45 appearances. He and Nikola Jokic are the NBA’s only players to average those marks on such efficiency.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama has cemented himself as the NBA’s top defender, anchoring a San Antonio unit that ranks third in the NBA. The 22-year-old leads the league with 3.8 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scottie Barnes: 3.0). He’s posted a -10.6 defensive rating swing (team points allowed per 100 possession with a player on vs. off), the league’s second-highest mark, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7), per CleaningTheGlass.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said there’s little doubt that Wembanyama has had an MVP-level impact.

“He’s as big a needle-mover for his team to win [as anybody],” Johnson said. “The individual stuff that goes into being identified as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, the boards and everything that goes in between. He’s at the forefront for [each of] those. And there’s other guys in the league that do that. I haven’t taken a deep dive on that, but I definitely think he’s in the conversation. It would be hard for someone to make a logical argument as to why he’s not in that conversation.”

Wembanyama currently has the fourth-best MVP odds at +2500, trailing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-250), Nikola Jokic (+400) and Cade Cunningham (+850), per FanDuel Sportsbook. The French superstar can miss only three more games to maintain his eligibility for the award.

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At 43-16, San Antonio sits 1.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after Oklahoma City fell to the Detroit Pistons. The Spurs have 23 regular-season games remaining, while the Thunder have 22, and the two teams will not meet again this season. The current 11-game run is the third-longest streak in the NBA this season, behind Oklahoma City’s 16-game streak and Detroit’s 13-game run. It is also San Antonio’s longest winning streak since a 13-game surge in 2015-16.

Julian Champagnie led the Spurs against Brooklyn with 26 points, shooting 6-of-9 from 3-point range, while adding three steals and two blocks. Stephon Castle scored 18 points, including 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, and had 13 points in the opening quarter. Devin Vassell contributed 14 points, hitting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, along with seven rebounds and five assists. De’Aaron Fox added 14 points, Keldon Johnson scored 13, and Dylan Harper finished with 12 as seven Spurs reached double figures. Victor Wembanyama recorded 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting and 6-of-6 from the line, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.

San Antonio took control early, scoring 13 seconds into the game and building a 36-22 first-quarter lead. The advantage grew to 48-26 in the second quarter and 71-56 at halftime. The Nets trimmed the deficit to six with a 13-4 run early in the third, but the Spurs closed the period ahead 104-84.

For Brooklyn (15-43), Michael Porter Jr. finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Day’Ron Sharpe scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The Nets have now lost six straight and will next face the Boston Celtics on road on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Spurs will next face the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

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Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so.

“He’s as big a needle-mover for his team to win [as anybody],” Johnson said before Thursday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. “The individual stuff that goes into being identified as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, the boards and everything that goes in between. He’s at the forefront for [each of] those. And there’s other guys in the league that do that. I haven’t taken a deep dive on that, but I definitely think he’s in the conversation. It would be hard for someone to make a logical argument as to why he’s not in that conversation.”

Wembanyama’s two-way contributions have led the Spurs to the NBA’s third-best record (42-16).

Victor Wembanyama enters MVP conversation while leading Spurs ascnesion

The French phenom has averaged 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .503/.353/.812 shooting splits. Offensively, he’s one of six players averaging 24-plus points on 50 percent shooting or better, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama has continued to have a historic impact defensively. He leads the NBA with 3.9 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scottie Barnes: 3.0). The Spurs allow 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court vs. off, the NBA’s second-highest defensive rating swing, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7), per CleaningTheGlass.

Wembanyama currently has the fifth-best MVP odds at +3300, behind Gilgeous-Alexander (-190), Jokic (+300), Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000), per FanDuel Sportsbook. The Spurs star can miss only three more games to maintain his eligibility.

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Since being drafted, Wembanyama has brought out the biggest and loudest of fans at every arena he visits, and his latest visit to Toronto, Canada was no different.

A fan dressed as an actual green alien wearing Victor Wembanyama’s jersey and shorts was seen watching his favorite player’s warm-ups from the stands.

An Alien pulled up to see The Alien in Toronto pic.twitter.com/mUHZf0nkXz

— theScore (@theScore) February 25, 2026

After the game, Wembanyama was asked about the fan and the outpouring of support he’s received on the road this season.

“Do I get used to it?” Wembanyama reiterated before thinking about his answer. “I don’t know if I will, but I’m not used to it yet. I’m saying that because it’s always a pleasure. I think obviously the support at home is unconditional, but on the road some arenas like this, I hear a lot of French people and even just Canadian people who speak French who support. I’m saying I’m not used to it because it’s always feel the love, always a great pressure. I’m trying to grow that even more, I’m not going to lie, because it helps me, makes me feel a little bit at home everywhere, so I’m trying to grow that and give some of that love.”

The Spurs defeated the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday night, 110-107, with Victor Wembanyama recording 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and five blocked shots.

The Spurs win improved their record to 42-16, just two games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference.

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Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson revealed how Wembanyama’s mentality separates him from other elite defenders.

“You can see that he’s definitely taken it upon himself to be very aggressive and physical on the ball. I think the one thing that stands out about him and a few other guys in this league is that he looks to guard primary players on the other team regardless of their position or skill set. And that’s a unique ability that not everybody can do by just combination of size, athleticism, and capabilities,” Johnson said.

Wembanya’s defensive impact has bordered on historic this season.

Victor Wembanyama’s DPOY odds soar amid Spurs’ success

The 22-year-old leads the NBA with 3.9 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scottie Barnes: 3.0). San Antonio allows 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with Wembanyama on the court vs. off, the NBA’s second-highest defensive rating swing, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7), per CleaningTheGlass.

Wembanyama, with the help of Stephon Castle, held MVP candidate Cade Cunningham to his worst performance of the season during the Spurs’ 114-103 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Cunningham posted 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting during the loss.

Wembanyama is -500 to win Defensive Player Of The Year amid the Spurs’ 42-16 (3rd in NBA) campaign, per FanDuel SportsBook. Chet Holmgren has the next-highest odds at +500.

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Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs picked up their tenth straight win with a comeback victory over the Toronto Raptors, despite a relatively quiet game from superstar Victor Wembanyama.

With that win, the Spurs moved to within just two games of Oklahoma City for the number two seed in the Western Conference, a feat that seemed borderline impossible when the Thunder raced out to a blazing 24-1 start to the regular season.

“The Thunder just picked up their 15th loss, already more than they had all of last season.  That’s a sharp shift for a team that opened the year 24–1,” noted ClutchPoints on X, formerly Twitter.

Of course, injuries are a large part of the reason why the Thunder have slipped up a bit, but even before Gilgeous-Alexander went down with an abdominal strain, Oklahoma City was already showing some signs of slippage, with the team losing four out of the five regular season matchups that they have played against San Antonio this season.

The Spurs, meanwhile, are 5.5 games up on the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets for the second spot, meaning it’s looking highly likely that San Antonio and Oklahoma City will be the top two seeds in the West when all is said and done.

Many are already anticipating a Western Conference Finals matchup between the two squads, rekindling the rivalry between the teams of the days when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook wore Thunder jerseys, while Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard suited up for the Spurs in the mid-2010s.

Thankfully for the Thunder, they won’t see the Spurs again this season until that potential playoff matchup, if it comes to be.

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Ingram was named G League Player Of The Week after averaging 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over his last five appearances with the Austin Spurs. He recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double as Austin posted a 4-1 record.

“Player of the week is definitely trending in the right direction,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of Ingram’s development. “I think it’s always part happy for him, part rewarding as an organization and a staff, and part just fun when you have a young player in your program for a year and they’re grinding, especially when you’re in the G League and it can be a little out of sight, out of mind to the outside world. You’re selling them on getting better incrementally and sticking with the process.

“That can be hard for young people when, at times, they may not get the attention or the direct feedback that they’re looking for or used to, especially because a lot of those guys come from being really good college players. So for him to stay with it the way that he has and to have the improvement and growth that he has and to get recognized in a very deserved way is great for him.”

Ingram, the No. 48 pick in the 2024 draft out of North Carolina, has spent most of this season in the G League, appearing in only five NBA games.

Harrison Ingram showing improvement in G League after signing two-way contract

The 6-foot-5 forward’s two-way development with Austin has been encouraging for San Antonio. Ingram has averaged 16.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 48.2 percent shooting across 21 G League appearances.

“He’s really accepted and embraced his role,” Johnson said. “That can be hard to do in terms of your role as a defender, a physical role player, playing off the ball some. But trying to always continue to extend or create more possessions with offensive rebounds, knock down open shots, get out and run in transition, and obviously we want him to be a premier defender and be able to rebound. I think that’s just something that he’s really embraced and you’ve seen that. And sometimes when you do that, you get monster production with it. You can tell he’s put his energy into the right spots.”

The Spurs signed Ingram to a one-year, two-way contract before this season.

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Wembanyama is going through the third season of his NBA career with the Spurs. He has made massive strides as a superstar, elevating the Spurs to serious playoff contention.

However, as a young star, he would have off nights at times. San Antonio’s duel with Toronto turned out to be that. In 30 minutes of action, Wembanyama finished with a stat line of 12 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, three assists, and a steal. However, he shot 3-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Wembanyama reflected on his off night after the game, per reporter Michael Grange. He cited the changes in time zones and the lack of recovery time that played roles in having him not play at his best against Toronto.

“I didn’t recover tonight, with all the time changes, coming from LA, coming here late from Detroit … I need to do a better job, getting treatment, getting sleep. I couldn’t sleep last night. I wasn’t in shape today,” Wembanyama said.

"I didn't recover tonight, with all the time changes, coming from LA, coming here late from Detroit … I need to do a better job, getting treatment, getting sleep. I couldn't sleep last night. I wasn't in shape today …" Wemby when I asked about his 3/12. 12 pt night vs Raps. pic.twitter.com/72C3OAf3QI

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) February 26, 2026

How Victor Wembanyama, Spurs played against Raptors

Despite the struggles Victor Wembanyama went through, the Spurs persevered through it as they escaped with the 110-107 win over the Raptors.

Six players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. Devin Vassell led the team with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. De’Aaron Fox came next with 20 points, Dylan Harper had 15 points and seven assists, Stephon Castle put up 13 points and five assists, while Julian Champagnie provided 10 points and six rebounds.

San Antonio improved to a 42-16 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rolling with 10 consecutive wins, the Spurs will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Wembanyama did step up in the fourth, making one crucial defensive play after another and his shot finally hit at the most crucial points of the contest. Former NBA Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox also did his thing, spearheading a balanced effort towards the end that allowed the Spurs to overturn a deficit that grew to as big as 15 points.

In pulling out a win under unlikely circumstances against a good team away from home, the Spurs’ current winning streak is now their longest since the 2015-16 season, back when the legendary quartet of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard were still on the team with new kid on the block LaMarcus Aldridge.

That 2015-16 team won 67 games and was only overshadowed by the Golden State Warriors’ 73-win campaign. That team was historically great, but they did run into an Oklahoma City Thunder team that peaked in the playoffs.

The 2025-26 squad has certainly shown that they have enough pieces to mount a deep playoff run, and it helps that they have had the Thunder’s number this season.

Young Spurs team is ready for the moment

NBA teams take after the identity of their best player, and having Wembanyama as that established alpha who wants to win every game has helped build a winning identity really quickly for the Spurs after a few losing seasons.

The entire team is coming together, and not a single team in the West wants to face them in a postseason setting — not when the alien that is Wembanyama looms as the Spurs’ undisputed leader.

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Extraterrestrial, that is.

The fan wore an alien costume as a nod to Wembanyama’s moniker, as shown in the video posted by theScore on X. To look less suspicious and blend in better with humans, the fan also sported a jersey of the two-time All-Star.

An Alien pulled up to see The Alien in Toronto pic.twitter.com/mUHZf0nkXz

— theScore (@theScore) February 25, 2026

Wembanyama, who has led the Spurs to a 41-16 record entering their game against the Raptors, has been likened to an alien—as a compliment—because his physical build and skill set seem almost unreal compared to typical players.

With Wembanyama’s otherworldly mix of size, talent, and mobility, he is almost impossible to stop—and it is scary to think that he is only 22 years old.

He has embraced being called an alien as his branding. His logo for his signature shoes with Nike is an alien’s head, which Wembanyama drew himself.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is widely credited with giving the moniker to Wembanyama, who, in turn, was thrilled by it.

“I’m really glad he said that because I didn’t like to be called a unicorn. I like it because it’s just something not from this world. I like being called an alien. It’s really what I’m working to be, something unique and original,” said the 7-foot-4 center in a report from Sports Illustrated’s Andy Nesbitt.

Wembanyama’s popularity has grown exponentially since the Spurs drafted him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, and many believe that he is already the face of the NBA.

If not, of another planet, definitely.

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Both players are dominant, but in very different ways.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, a current member of the Toronto Raptors, is the lone NBA player to have played with both players in the league.

Ahead of Wednesday’s game with the San Antonio Spurs, Mamu, as he’s known, detailed the difference between the two players. Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg captured his response.

“I would say Giannis is more physical. That’s how he gets his buckets – in the paint, bully ball. Wemby is more versatile. He can shoot the hell out of the ball, use both hands, mid-range,” Mamukelashvili said pregame.

When asked if he ever got used to watching Wemby defy logic, he was very curt.

“Hell no!”

The Bucks superstar is an imposing physical presence. He is nearly unguardable if he gets the ball in the paint. This is because of his combination of size, strength, and athleticism. But he is such a freak athlete that there are holes in his game. Shooting never came naturally and is something he still struggles with, both from the field and at the free throw line.

Those holes do not exist with Wembanyama.

Wemby has an extremely wide array of offensive skills that have never been seen before from someone his size.

“I don’t think you can set a bar at how good he can be,” said Mamukelashvili.

“You really can’t predict what he’s going to do. He might pull up from half court or if you press up he might just go down & dunk it. I think the more experience he gets, the stronger he gets, sky’s the limit.”

Through his first 160 NBA games, Victor Wembanyama is averaging 23 points, 10.9 rebounds, and a ridiculous 3.4 blocks per game. He’s shooting 47 percent from the field, and better 34 percent from beyond the arc, which is unheard of at 7-foot-4. This season, that number has gone up to 36 percent, knocking down 1.8 triples per game.

He has the Spurs well ahead of its rebuild schedule. They entered Wednesday’s game against the Raptors 41-16, second in the Western Conference.

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“It’s definitely a night where we confirmed progression. And confirmed potential as well.”

"…It's definitely a night where we confirmed progression. And confirmed potential as well…"

-Victor Wembanyama following the #Spurs 114-103 W at Detroit, who entered the game w/the fewest losses in the #NBA & on a 5-game win streak

SA has won 9 straight#PorVida#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/2iq4SXyMGU

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 24, 2026

In their first meeting this season against the franchise that entered the night with the NBA’s fewest losses and the best record in the Eastern Conference, Wemby’s Spurs won by 11 in Detroit. While impressive, it’s the kind of effort the Spurs leading scorer knew they were capable of.

“I don’t think that’s a night where we learned the most things about ourselves.”

Victor Wembanyama details big win vs Detroit Pistons

With three wins (in consecutive meetings) against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as victories against every other West power, the Spurs have several contenders for their ‘best win’ category.

“I think this is definitely top five of the games. But, for the future, looking at the season overall, this is probably the team that’s most capable of playing that way,” Wembanyama admitted about the Pistons aggression.

“This is what they do,” the generational talent continued, “If they don’t want you to score, they’re not going to let you score. In the second half, both sides of the floor, but the whole game everybody was connected offensively and it shows on the stats. We’ve got six players shooting more than ten shots.”

“This is why I was also talking about progression, because everybody was connected,” Wembanyama added. “Everybody got to eat — you know what I mean — because we were so connected and because we were trying to fight against the wall the whole game.”

As effective as the Spurs were offensively vs. Detroit, the NBA’s leading shot blocker made sure to point out his team’s play on the other end as well.

“I mean, the second half was pretty satisfying defensively. And yeah, it was a tough shooting night.”

San Antonio has triumphed in each of its last nine games. It marks the first time the proud franchise has won that many in a row since the 2018-2019 campaign. Truth told, it’s easily the Spurs longest winning streak this season. They’re credited with coming out on top in eight straight games back in December.

But that streak didn’t take into account a loss in the NBA Cup Final to the New York Knicks because the league doesn’t include the Cup championship contest in the standings, hence no showing in the won-loss record. That setback to NY came in between five and three game winning streaks.

“I don’t agree that there’s a formula for that,” Wembanyama said of not letting their current success get the best of them.

“I feel like the mistakes we committed in the beginning of the season can help us in that, but we’re going to have to confirm it,” the 2023 first overall draft pick concluded.

It seems as though the Spurs are confirming just how good they are with every passing game.

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The Spurs had all three of their two-way roster spots full, so to make room for Emanuel Miller, the team waived guard Stanley Umude. The team’s roster now stands at 15 standard contracts and all three two-ways.

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind past couple of weeks for Miller. After starting the season on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers right before the deadline as part of the multi-team trade that landed Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder with the Cavs and De’Andre Hunter with the Sacramento Kings.

Miller was then cut by the Cavs and ultimately signed by the Spurs. Across the past two seasons, he has appeared in a total of nine NBA games with the Bulls. He has yet to appear in a game with the Spurs this season.

As part of his two-way contract his season, Miller has appeared in 27 G League games between the Windy City Bulls and Cleveland Charge. He’s averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 54.6 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Spurs’ front office has been known to identify undrafted gems and overlooked players in the draft. So Miller’s development is worth keeping an eye on.

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Duncan and Robinson, the only other former No. 1 overall picks by the Spurs, are obviously the two greatest players in franchise history, but they are also among the greatest big men in NBA history. It is always a major accomplishment when Wemby joins them on an exclusive list, and his dominance in Detroit on Monday night adds to the young star’s long list of accomplishments.

In the Spurs’ 114-103 win over the Pistons, Wembanyama recorded 21 points, 17 rebounds, eight of which were offensive boards, and six blocks in 36 minutes. As a result, he joined Robinson and Duncan as the only players in Spurs franchise history to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 8 offensive rebounds in a game.

Both of the Spurs legends achieved this feat three different times in their respective careers.

Wemby's block on Cade Cunningham

Just ABSURD stuff from the Alien pic.twitter.com/vaCTyagBfV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2026

Over his last three games since the All-Star break, Wembanyama has recorded three straight double-doubles, averaging 22.0 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks per game in this span. His exceptional play against the Pistons led San Antonio to its ninth straight win, putting the team just 2.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the NBA.

After this game, Wembanyama reflected on shooting just 6-of-16 from the floor, claiming that his individual play on the court didn’t win them this battle against the Pistons, but it was the team’s collective effort.

“The second half was pretty satisfying defensively,” Wembanyama said after the game. “Tough shooting night. This is what they (Pistons) do. If they don’t want you to score, then they’re not going to let you score. This is why I was also talking about progression, because everybody was connected tonight. The whole game, everyone was connected offensively.

“Everybody got to eat tonight because we were so connected.”

The Spurs have now won nine straight games for the first time since the 2018-19 season, which is also the last time this organization was in the playoffs.

It no longer seems likely that San Antonio will be left out of the Western Conference playoffs over the next decade, as Wembanyama has already left his mark on the NBA at 22 years old. He is just now scratching the surface of his Hall-of-Fame-like potential, and he will continue to put his name next to Duncan’s and Robinson’s in franchise history.

Quite honestly, it’s not hard to imagine Wemby will surpass his predecessors down the road.

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In postgame comments obtained by Omari Sankofa II, Pistons star Cade Cunningham admitted that his team couldn’t adjust to the intensity that Wembanyama brought to the defensive side of the floor.

“We just couldn’t figure Wemby out early enough. Changed a lot of our shots, changed our approach and there were spurts where we found things and did things we like to do. He just changed too many shots and didn’t figure him out early enough.”

Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff articulated his approach to attacking a Wembanyama-led defense, saying, ‘You have to go through him, you can’t go around him. (Duren) did a great job late where he was going through him. If you allow him to play in space he’s too smart, too talented … you have to go through him more.'”

Jalen Duren PUNCHES IT on Wemby, plus the foul pic.twitter.com/L0xLWKoM9o

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2026

Jalen Duren finished the game with 25 points, including a thrilling poster dunk on Victor Wembanyama that went viral on social media. But Duren didn’t see a lot of help offensively, especially as Cunningham finished the game with 16 points and was 5-26 from the field.

But Bickerstaff saw the loss form a broader perspective, citing the 18 three-pointers they allowed from San Antonio that ultimately put the game out of reach.

“They moved the ball well, they attacked off the bounce to get those looks. Some of those were all fault, we gave up strong side corner 3s which we typically don’t … credit to them. They played a strong game.”

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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham learned the second one the hard way on Monday at Little Caesars Arena.

After a mediocre showing in the first half, Cunningham tried to get going in the third quarter. In one play, he drove past Devin Vassell and attempted a high-arcing floater over Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 star, however, was still able to block the ball at its apex.

Wemby's block on Cade Cunningham

Just ABSURD stuff from the Alien pic.twitter.com/vaCTyagBfV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2026

Tell us that is not unfair.

Normally, that’s an automatic score for Cunningham. But normal does not apply to Wembanyama. No one is allowed to score when he is patrolling the paint.

It has become a habit for the 22-year-old Wembanyama to leave fans in awe with a surreal play, displaying his unique mix of length, athleticism, and versatility.

He has a strong case for being named Defensive Player of the Year, as he is averaging 11.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 blocks entering the game against the Pistons. His presence alone has altered shots and made opponents think twice about entering the lane. The Spurs only allow 112.0 points per game.

The pride of France has said he does not really care for individual accolades, but winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award would be a nice testament to his work ethic and overall impact.

As of writing, the Spurs have erected a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. Wembanyama has 14 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks.

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He did it again in the first quarter of Monday night’s showdown between his Spurs and the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, when he had a huge defensive play to deny the home team a bucket from deep.

With 1:49 left in the first period and 2.1 seconds remaining on the Pistons’ shot clock, Detroit forward Ronald Holland II got an inbound pass and looked as though he was wide open for a 3-pointer from the right side. However, Wembanyama used his mobility, quickness and length to not just bother Holland, but block his shot.

And with that shot rejection, Wembanyama has finally checked all the boxes when it comes to recording a block against every NBA team.

Victor Wembanyama DENIES Ron Holland the corner 3

It's Wemby's first block ever on any Pistons player in his career

The Spurs star has now recorded a block against every team in the NBA!pic.twitter.com/GWtvttyd3L

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2026

The 22-year-old Wembanyama is unquestionably one of the best — if not the best — defensive players in the NBA. He can defend all positions and is a legitimate menace at protecting the rim. A two-time NBA blocks leader, Wemby entered the Pistons game leading the league in the 2025-26 regular season with 2.7 blocks per contest.

With his rare blend of size, length and quickness, the two-time NBA All-Star Wembanyama is a capable defender near the rim or out in the perimeter, which he clearly showed with that block on Holland, who would have likely gotten off that shot if it were another player defending him.

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Following another jaw-dropping performance, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama sent social media into a frenzy by declaring that he will “be in the dunk contest one day.”

Victor Wembanyama says he’ll “be in the dunk contest one day.”

We’ve heard a lot of stars say this over the years. None have done it. We’ll see if Wemby is honest. pic.twitter.com/p2c8tksKPi

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) February 22, 2026

It is the kind of quote that usually comes with a heavy dose of skepticism. Stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have teased fans with similar promises for over a decade without ever actually participating, but with Wembanyama, the hype feels a bit more real.

The declaration came on the heels of a dominant display against the Sacramento Kings. The French phenom was a walking highlight reel, racking up 28 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in a 139-122 victory. At one point, Wembanyama uncorked a one-handed flush that looked like it belonged in a video game, leaving the Kings’ interior defense looking like statues.

His length and coordination make the impossible look routine. We aren’t just talking about rim-grazers; we are talking about a man who can practically place the ball in the hoop while barely leaving the floor. If he actually follows through on his promise, it would immediately become the most anticipated event in All-Star Weekend history.

For now, the Spurs are just happy to watch him dismantle the rest of the league. While the Dunk Contest is a dream for the fans, his current reality is a nightmare for opposing coaches. Whether he’s swatting shots into the third row or throwing down posters, Wembanyama is the show.

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Bryant was also a late selection for the Rising Stars competition as a replacement due to the injury to Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward. He was impressive during his first All-Star Weekend appearance, showing off some of the defensive ability that the Spurs knew they were getting when they drafted him.

In the first Rising Stars game as part of Team Vince, Bryant finished with four points, one rebound and one blocked shot in a little over five minutes. In the second game, with Team Vince winning the Rising Stars championship, Bryant finished with five points, one rebound and one steal while shooting a perfect 2-of-2, including 1-of-1 from 3-point range.

For Bryant, being able to participate in All-Star Weekend as a rookie was a testament to the hard work he’s put in since being drafted.

“From my aspect, I feel like the work that I put in is being seen, and my teammates have held me to a standard which has allowed me to perform a certain way,” Bryant told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “Obviously with the injury, something had to go my way for this to happen, but I’m blessed enough to be in a position where I performed well enough this season, whether it was those past few games, to earn an opportunity to play in the Rising Stars game. It’s an honor.”

Not only was Carter Bryant given a the opportunity to participate in the NBA’s marquee weekend, but it was a homecoming for the Spurs rookie. His father D’Cean has been a longtime staple in the Southern California basketball scene, playing in college at Long Beach State before transitioning to coaching high school basketball.

Bryant grew up in Southern California and played his senior year of high school at local powerhouse Corona Centennial. He also played for his father at Fountain Valley and Sage Hill, two other local high schools. One of the biggest things for him about taking part in All-Star Weekend was getting to have his family in attendance.

“Growing up, All-Star Weekend is everything for a kid, especially when you love the game. The best players in basketball get together and make stuff happen,” Bryant said. “But for it to be in my hometown, and for it to be something I’ve always dreamed of being a part of, I’m ecstatic. Just being able to have my family, being able to have my loved ones able to support me, it means everything.”

And if course as a local kid, it was former Los Angeles Lakers superstar, the late Kobe Bryant, who supplied him with his favorite All-Star memory.

“I would say one that really stood out was Kobe’s last All-Star Game. Being a Southern California kid, being a Kobe guy growing up, when he got that last year when they had the All-Star Game in Toronto,” Bryant said. “Just that whole weekend in general, from the dunk contest to the All-Star Game, having iconic moments within that whole thing, it was dope.”

Carter Bryant’s coming out party with Spurs

The Rising Stars Game wasn’t the only event that Carter Bryant participated in over All-Star Weekend. He was also selected for the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. He made it to the final round of the contest where he eventually lost to Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat.

While Bryant didn’t win the dunk contest, he had a strong overall showing. He cited how the event has served as a coming out party of sorts for young players in the past. As he navigates his rookie year with the Spurs, he feels like his All-Star Weekend participation can be a springboard for his own career.

“I feel like the one thing that’s been lacking over the past few years is the swagger and the confidence that a lot of the greats had that did it originally. . .that was a lot of guys’ coming out party in a sense. A lot of young guys that came in, they were really young players but they wanted to do the dunk contest,” Bryant said “Kind of bringing that energy back to the dunk contest, having the confidence about myself that I trust what I work on. I have a God-given ability with my athleticism and being able to put that on display.”

Right before the All-Star break was when Bryant got his first real opportunity in the Spurs rotation. The No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, he played off and on through the first few months of the regular season, but it wasn’t until February that he got consistent playing time.

In the six games he played right before the break, he scored in double figures three times, including a career-high 16 points in a blowout road win against the Los Angeles Lakers. During that stretch, Bryant showed signs of being a dependable 3-point shooter. He shot a combined 44 percent from distance, a vast increase from his season average of 32.9 percent.

Much of what he’s learned as far as what it takes to be successful in the NBA is being patient.

“Patience is everything. I would say that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned. Understanding that not everything is going to happen on your terms, understanding how big learning is,” Bryant said. “Having good vets and having a great coaching staff, being able to sit down with multiple people on the coaching staff. . .even down to the video room, talking to the training staff on how to take care of my body properly. They’ve seen guys that have done this for a long time and gotten to play 20 years.”

“That’s the end goal, to play for a long time and be a hell of a player,” Bryant continued. “Being able to pick those minds and not staying in those moments when you feel like you can’t get anything right.”

But aside from his offensive capabilities, the defensive end of the court has been an area where Bryant has shined early in his rookie season. When it comes to the Spurs’ regular rotation players, Bryant is top-10 on the team in defensive rating, as per StatMuse.

Offense sometimes comes and goes in the NBA, and the number of shots and opportunity players receive often varies from game to game. But the defensive end of the court, that’s something that’s non-negotiable. The effort and energy defensively should always be there no matter how many shot attempts a player gets.

That’s the one part of Bryant’s game that he’s 100 percent confident in that he can make an impact right away.

“I don’t think there’s anybody you can put in front of me where I’m going to shy away from the competition. I embrace competition. That’s something I grew up on. I grew up watching Kobe. I grew up watching those guys go at each other’s necks every night,” Bryant said. “There was no buddy-buddy when I grew up watching NBA basketball. That’s just the mentality, I’m trying to bring that understanding that every night is an opportunity to show what you’re made of.”

At the time of the All-Star break, the Spurs were in second place in the Western Conference standings, and being mentioned among possible title contenders. As it stands, they are 40-16 in the West, have won eight consecutive games and trail the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder by only two and half games.

Players always have goals they want to reach during a season, especially young players experiencing the NBA for the first time. But not Bryant. For him, all the individual stuff will come in time. Right now, it’s all about maximizing his ability to help the team win.

“Making a playoff appearance, and with the talent we have and the team we have, being able to make a run at the Finals. I feel like we belong there. I feel like we have a lot of guys that really work their tail off, and I think we have a great balance of vets and young guys,” Bryant said. “We all go to work understanding what is a possibility for us as a team. I think that’s been the thing for me, I’m not worried about anything individual.”

“That sort of thing comes with time, and it comes with winning,” Bryant continued. “Winning is the No. 1 priority.”

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Wembanyama is halfway through the third season of his NBA career with the Spurs. He is enjoying his best campaign to date as he is actively helping the squad be in firm position inside the playoff picture, the team’s first since 2019.

Wembanyama’s size and athleticism allows him to rack up many dunk highlights, adding another one to his collection. The highlight took place in the early minutes of the fourth quarter as the star center drove into the paint then leapt in the air to pull off the incredible windmill dunk.

WEMBY GOES SHOWTIMEpic.twitter.com/O34K7o9cvs

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 22, 2026

This angle of Wemby's windmill

(via @spurs)pic.twitter.com/stZBfkVinN

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 22, 2026

How Victor Wembanyama, Spurs played against Kings

Victor Wembanyama enjoyed a strong performance as he led the Spurs to a convincing 139-122 win over the Kings.

The game started out close between the two squads as San Antonio only led 35-31 after the first quarter. Despite this, the hosts continued building their lead as they went on to win the remaining periods of regulation.

Six players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. He finished with a stat line of 28 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and one steal. He shot 11-of-20 from the field, including 1-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. De’Aaron Fox came next with 18 points and five assists, Stephon Castle had 18 points and eight rebounds, Keldon Johnson put up 18 points, while Harrison Barnes provided 14 points and two rebounds. Meanwhile, Dylan Harper contributed 12 points and five assists.

San Antonio improved to a 40-16 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rolling with eight consecutive wins, the Spurs will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. ET.

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Victor Wembanyama fakes the spin and SLAMS it down pic.twitter.com/U59v6E5NLU

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 22, 2026

The play occurred with the Spurs already leading by double-digits, 16-6. Victor Wembanyama caught the ball on the wing, dribbled into the paint, faked a spin left, only to go right and throw down the slam dunk.

As of publication though, the Kings had managed to crawl back and tie the game up midway through the second quarter. The Spurs are going to need more plays like that from Wembanyama to keep their win streak alive.

Wembanyama is coming off his second consecutive All-Star selection after being voted in as a starter. As part of the league’s new format, he represented Team World who ended up losing both of their games in the round-robin tournament en route to a quick elimination. Following the All-Star Game, Wembanyama was candid about his competitiveness and desire to win over All-Star Weekend.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama is already arguably one of the top-five players in the NBA. With a unique blend of size, speed, strength and skill, there’s a reason why his nickname of ‘Alien’ makes sense.

Coming into Saturday’s game, he had appeared in 41 games this season, at a little over 28 minutes per game. He’s been averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 assists with splits of 51 percent shooting from the field, 36.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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San Antonio (39-16) will host Sacramento (12-45) at 5:00 p.m. PT, looking to extend its current seven-game winning streak to close out a two-game homestand. The Kings, meanwhile, enter the contest seeking to snap a franchise-record 15-game losing streak.

According to the Spurs’ injury report issued Saturday, Harrison Ingram (G League – Two-Way) and Stanley Umude (G League – Two-Way) are listed as questionable. David Jones Garcia (G League – Two-Way) has been ruled out. Veteran center Mason Plumlee is also out due to return-to-competition reconditioning. Lindy Waters III is listed as questionable with a left knee hyperextension.

Spurs list Lindy Waters III questionable, Mason Plumlee out vs. Kings

Waters, 28, last appeared in San Antonio’s 112-103 victory over the Orlando Magic on Feb. 1. He logged two minutes in that contest and recorded a turnover as his only statistic. Across 28 games this season, Waters is averaging a career-low 1.9 points in 6.8 minutes per game while shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. His current usage rate also marks a career low.

Plumlee, 35, joined the Spurs on a 10-day contract after being traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal involving Ousmane Dieng and subsequently waived by Oklahoma City. The veteran center last played Dec. 22 in a 139-122 loss with Charlotte, finishing with five points and five rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting in 10 minutes. He later underwent surgery to address a right groin injury and has remained sidelined.

In 14 appearances this season, including two starts, Plumlee is averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 75 percent from the field.

With several rotation and depth pieces managing injuries, the Spurs will aim to maintain momentum against a struggling Kings team desperate to halt its skid.

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“We’re 0-2 against them, so owe them,” Vassell said before their meeting in Austin, Texas.

The Spurs entered the post-All-Star portion of the NBA year with the second-best record in the West. They’re actually closer to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who started the season 24-1, than they are to the team behind them in the standings. And while San Antonio has beaten the defending champions four times in 2025-2026, they had yet to knock off a Phoenix squad that is very much in the playoff picture as well.

“Excited for this match-up, truthfully,” Vassell said before their latest meeting.

"…They're still a really good team. We're 0-2 against them. so owe them. Excited for this match-up, truthfully"

-Devin Vassell on tonight vs Suns w/o Dillon Brooks in Austin

Phoenix is only West team #Spurs have played, but haven't beaten this season#PorVida #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/yeQ6k4OpCg

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 19, 2026

While the Spurs entered the match-up healthy, the Suns did not. Guard Dillon Brooks was out because of a league-imposed suspension. Adding insult to injury – or the other way around in this case – star guard Devin Booker exited the Spurs’ 121-94 victory early with hip soreness.

“We know the type of energy, defense, and intensity that [Dillon Brooks] brings,” Vassell admitted beforehand. “They’re still a really good team.”

Spurs look to knock off Suns for first time

San Antonio’s first loss this season actually came in Phoenix. 5-0 for the first time in franchise history, the Spurs were already without De’Aaron Fox when they lost Dylan Harper to injury in the second quarter. The Suns took a seven-point lead after the first quarter and never really looked back, outscoring the visitors in the second and third quarters as well before a fourth quarter that largely featured substitutes in a 130-118 outcome.

The Spurs would lose again three nights later (at the Los Angeles Lakers), but bounced back to win three in a row. It helped set the tone for what’s become of Silver and Black’s season to this point.

Exactly three weeks later on November 23, the Spurs found themselves in Arizona again. Still without Harper, who would return shorty thereafter because of a strained calf, head coach Mitch Johnson did have Fox back. But he was missing both Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. The Spurs’ two young stars had suffered injuries in back-to-back games a week before. Led by Brook’s 25 and Booker’s 24 points, the Suns came away with a 111-102 victory.

That led to their latest meeting. Though part of the Rodeo Road Trip, games against the Suns and Sacramento Kings represent a bit of a departure from the team’s annual tradition as part of an agreement Spurs Sports & Entertainment has made with the city of Austin and the University of Texas to play two home games in the state’s capital city.

The victory vs. Phoenix served as San Antonio’s seventh straight win, continuing their longest actual streak of the season, considering a previous eight-game streak included a loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Final.

The Clippers remain the only West squad the Spurs haven’t beaten. Their first shot at LA comes on March 6.

The post Why Spurs’ Devin Vassell says San Antonio ‘owed’ the Suns appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Victor Wembanyama’s All-Star Game performance was a contrast to NBA fans have claiming that players don’t play hard in the event, and the Spurs star revealed that it was his upbringing that fueled his fire, as per Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

“I think it comes from honesty towards myself, honesty towards the game. That’s the game I love. I try not to take it for granted. When I’m on that court, I’m trying to win,” Wembanyama said. “My younger self, when I was a kid, if he saw myself playing soft in any game, he wouldn’t be proud. So I’m trying to strive for the younger Vic.”

In Team World’s first game, Wembanyama had a game-high 14 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in 10 minutes. He didn’t miss a single 3-point shot, going 2-of-2 from distance while shooting 4-of-5 overall and also a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

In the second game for Team World, Wembanyama finished with a team-high 19 points and two rebounds in 10 minutes. He shot 6-of-8 from the field, 2-of-3 from the 3-point line and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Amid Wembanyama’s superb season thus far, the Spurs have emerged as a possible contender in the Western Conference. They are currently in second place in the West standings at 39-16, and have won seven consecutive games. In the Spurs’ most recent win, a 121-94 blowout against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Wembanyama finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal and five blocked shots.

He’s appeared in 40 games this season, at just about 29 minutes per game. He’s been averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and a league-leading 2.7 blocked shots with splits of 51.1 percent shooting from the field, 36.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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After a tight battle in the first half, the Spurs went off in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns, 37-22, to break the game wide open.

San Antonio notched its eighth straight win and improved to 39-16, while Phoenix fell to 32-24. The defeat could be extra costly for the Suns, as Devin Booker was forced to exit early due to a hip injury and did not return.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson sent a message of support for Booker, who has struggled to stay healthy this season.

“Hopefully, Devin’s OK. You hate to see injuries happen to one of the premier players in the league,” said Johnson, as quoted by The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.

Booker only played nine minutes, tallying five points and one rebound.

He has already missed 13 games due to an ankle injury.

Stephon Castle had 20 points, four assists, and three steals to lead the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama adding 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 15 points, three rebounds, and eight assists.

The premature exit of Booker further handicapped the Suns, who played without Dillon Brooks due to a one-game suspension.

Jalen Green, in his second game back from a hamstring injury, led Phoenix with 26 points, three rebounds, and three steals. Mark Williams contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds.

It remains unclear if Booker will miss an extended period, but as Johnson said, getting the All-Star guard back on the court as soon as possible would be good for the league.

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“Every game counts a little bit more, especially when you’re talking about seeding and how close the West is. It’s going to be fun.”

"Every game counts a little bit more, especially when you're talking about seeding and how close the West is. It's going to be fun"

-De'Aaron Fox w/#Spurs set for post All-Star Break portion of year

Coverage presented by Superior Tax Service: https://t.co/nfxcO81b4O#PorVida pic.twitter.com/JjDzsuq1ty

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 18, 2026

Coming off his second career All-Star Game, Fox is one of the few Spurs who has qualified for the NBA playoffs before.

“It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. And, even with that, they say that they don’t, but the games are officiated a little differently, especially once you get closer to the playoffs,” Fox said. “It will be an adjustment. I think our coaching staff has put us in a great position to not let that kind of falter the way that we play because we want to be able to be that physical team and continue to play fast and play through the whistle.”

De’Aaron Fox likes the way Spurs went into All-Star Weekend

The Spurs pick up play following the break on their longest actual winning streak of the season. Though they’re credited with winning eight consecutive games in December, that stretch included a loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Final, which does not count toward the participating teams’ record. That setback to New York fell in between three- and five-game winning streaks.

The Spurs won their last six before the league’s mid-February tradition.

“That was a stretch that we felt was really important, being able to go into All-Star break with some momentum and we did a good job at that,” Fox said.

“We did eight games,” the ninth-year veteran added. “We talked about an eight game season. Last eight games, we went 7-1, so going into the break with that type of momentum, it’s the first time that a lot of our guys are playing meaningful basketball after the break. So, all these games mean a little bit more.”

Fox and former Sacramento Kings teammate Harrison Barnes, who won a championship with the Golden State Warriors and is now his 14th NBA season, are the only rotation players on the team with more than six seasons in the league.

“The mental part of the game has to be there because everybody’s going through it physically. But if you can continue to keep your head in the game and stay focused throughout such a long season, that gets you through it more than just being physically ready for it,” Fox said.

At 38-16 for the year, the Spurs are closer to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the standings than they are to the Denver Nuggets, who sit third in the West. It’s an unmistakable reality of the opportunity in front of Fox and the Spurs.

“For us, I think guys are ready and I think guys are excited for it, for sure.”

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But it looks as though a rising star in the form of Spurs rookie Dylan Harper could at least infuse a bit of name recognition into the dunk contest. In an appearance on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Harper, who showed up along with his father and three-time NBA champion Ron and his brother, current Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., may just have been goaded into joining the 2027 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Phoenix.

“I could do every dunk you did in that contest,” Dylan told his father, referring to Ron’s appearances in the 1987 and 1989 dunk contests. “[But] I’m not doing no dunk contest.”

“You don’t think you’re good enough?” McGrady asked to provoke a response.

“No, I think I don’t got that many tricks,” the Spurs guard replied. “[But] we could see in like a year. We could see next year.”

Can Spurs guard Dylan Harper at least perform better than his father did?

In 1987, Ron Harper, who was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, did a self-lob to a reverse jam and a tap on the front rim before a reverse dunk for his two jams on the night. He finished fifth in the contest.

Two years later, he brought out a one-handed, 360 statue of liberty jam (which he made on the second attempt) and followed that up with a self-lob, a high bounce off the ground, which he punctuated with an emphatic one-handed tomahawk.

The Spurs guard doesn’t have too high of a bar to clear considering the dunks his father did.

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The 22-year-old revealed that he wanted a larger role on the team, something which may have been down to the deep roster the Spurs have.

“No real opportunity in my opinion. It is what it is. It’s a deep team. Maybe I didn’t see eye-to-eye with coach. I’m just blessed to be somewhere to grow,” he said per The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III.

While his desire for more minutes was also acknowledged by Johnson himself, the move simply seems to have been the best solution for all the involved parties.

“We were all very aware of his desire to be in the rotation and given more of an opportunity, especially recently. We wanted to do right by him and make sure he had that opportunity before the year was over,” Johnson had said per Yahoo Sports.

The Spurs’ rotation had tightened amid roster changes and internal development priorities, leaving Sochan’s minutes reduced to just 12.8 per game during the 2025–26 campaign. His exit also marked the dismantling of San Antonio’s 2022 first-round class, as none of the three selections from that draft remain with the franchise (Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham).

While Sochan averaged just 4.1 points and 2.6 assists during the 12.8 minutes per game he spent on the court, his defensive versatility and effort have never been questioned. Sochan was simply on a team that needed more from him when it came to floor spacing and offensive ability, and did not necessarily get the minutes last season to prove his worth alongside Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old will hope that changes for the better now that he’s with the Knicks.

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On the show “Unsportsmanship,” O’Neal would be asked about the return of the league archetype of the “big man,” which the former player embodies to a tee. However, O’Neal would push back on that notion, saying that the only two who fall under that category are Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.

“Stop it, the big man is not back,” O’Neal said on Tuesday. “Because nobody posts up. Just because you’re seven-foot and shooting jumpers, that does not make you a big man. [Nikola Jokic] is the only guy that I would consider a big man, and Wemby, that’s two. But I remember when every team had a center, so now you just got a bunch of guys running in the same place, picking and popping.”

"The big man is not back… because nobody post up. Just because you're seven-foot and shooting jumpers that does not make you a big man. [Nikola Jokic] is the only guy that I would consider big man, and Wemby."

—Shaq

(via @UnSportsESPN)pic.twitter.com/mirpPrKSH3

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026

Shaquille O’Neal on big men needing to ‘play the percentages’

O’Neal would talk more about the change in gameplan for many centers in the league, which is a focus on shooting mid-range or from the three-point line instead of backing down in the paint. He would be asked about whether a player like himself could lead a team to a title, with O’Neal responding that it doesn’t have to be like him, and how “it’s about playing the percentages.”

“It’s about playing the percentages,” O’Neal continued on the show. “If I’m seven foot, 300 pounds, and I’m bigger and stronger than everybody, I want to take the high percentage shot. I want to use my prowess to get the, you know, the other team in a defensive situation…It’s about just being smart. If I’m seven five, I’m not picking pop and shooting the jumper over guys six-one, six-two.”

It remains to be seen how big men evolve in the future of the NBA.

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Out of all of the teams that Paul has played for in his career, which one does he think is the best? For the player dubbed as the “Point God”, the answer is obvious: the San Antonio Spurs. The retired NBA legend talked about this in a recent appearance on a Twitch stream. He showed off a plaque that the Spurs sent him containing pictures of him on different teams and a list of the players he’s assisted the most.

"Best organization I've played for."

Chris Paul on the Spurs

(via Thetylilshow/Twitch)pic.twitter.com/fNZUQLY5s0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026

The Spurs were the second-to-last team Paul played for before his retirement. The point guard played for San Antonio in 2024, briefly playing with French superstar Victor Wembanyama. While the Spurs did not enjoy a lot of team success that season, Paul was still integral to the team and Wembanyama’s growth into the monster the NBA knows today.

Chris Paul started his NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets in 2005. Drafted fourth overall by the team, Paul played for seven seasons with the team. He would then be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he’d be most known as the conductor of the now-iconic “Lob City” teams. Those two teams are the teams where Paul stayed the longest.

After his stint with the Clippers ended, Paul bounced around a few teams. He would become part of the Houston Rockets teams that challenged the Golden State Warriors in the late 2010s. He then had a short time in Oklahoma City, where he teamed up with a young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His closest chance at making the NBA Championship came in Phoenix, where they made the NBA Finals in 2021.

Paul would play with the Warriors for a year in 2023 before his time with the Spurs. The NBA legend joined the Clippers this season in what was supposed to be Paul’s retirement tour. However, his stint with the Clippers ended in disaster after Paul was benched and sent home in the middle of the season. Paul was traded to the Raptors before the trade deadline, who promptly released him moments before his retirement.

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Taking to social media to announce the news, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke down the signing, noting that after 12 seasons in the NBA, Plumlee is heading to San Antonio to make it a lucky 13.

“Free agent center Mason Plumlee is signing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports tells ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Plumlee started his 13th NBA season in Charlotte and now joins the Spurs for the second half.”

Drafted into the NBA with the 22nd overall pick all the way back in 2013 by the Brooklyn Nets, Plumlee is one of the more well-traveled veterans on the open market, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clipper, the Phoenix Suns, and the Charlotte Hornets twice, most recently in 2025-26 for 14 games with two starts.

While Plumlee has earned more headlines for getting into fights than putting up major production on the court over the past few years, averaging just 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes of action per game for the Hornets this season, he does have 874 regular-season games plus 71 more postseason efforts on his resume heading into this 10-day contract. Will Plumlee play major minutes for the Spurs over the next week and change? It’s hard to say, but getting another veteran into the building can only provide some much-needed help for Victor Wembanyama and company.

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Wembanyama was representing France as a member of the World Team on Sunday, and recently, the star got 100% honest about his desire to play for his country at the World Cup qualifiers in 2027.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama teases playing for France this summer, with NBA Finals caveat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wembanyama addressed fans’ All-Star-Game apathy by injecting passion into the proceedings. The exhibition contest will always have its flaws, but for the first time in ages, the conversation surrounding it is not overwhelmingly negative. And he is a big reason why. The 22-year-old made it a point to give the fans a better product. That is exactly the proactive approach Silver and company want to see from the sport’s top players.

Wembanyama’s efforts only reinforce the notion that he will soon become the NBA’s torch-bearer. He is not campaigning for this privilege/responsibility, however. The 2024 All-Defensive First-Team selection firmly believes that such a transformation can only take place naturally, free from the media’s prodding or his own self-promotion.

“I see what you’re trying to make me say, too,” Wembanyama told reporters when asked about players’ reluctance to publicly make a claim for the title of future face of the NBA, per HoopsHype. “But I feel like it’s something that’s got to be natural. Social media, the NBA can promote whoever they want, but at the end of the day it’s going to be the best players—and who the people ask for.

“Being the face of the league isn’t something that can be manufactured—maybe only to some extent. It’s only going to be the best players. So being the face of the league would just be the byproduct of their basketball level.”

Victor Wembanyama is not shying away from the topic. The two-time All-Star is confident he will one day occupy the role. But he is not going to issue any public pleas. His on-court performance is making a fairly compelling case on its own.

The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from 3-point range this season. If he can stay healthy and lead the Spurs to a deep playoff run, the NBA may no longer have to worry about finding a new leading man.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves guard noted that the San Antonio Spurs center came out with an intensity that forced everyone else to match his level of play.

This energy shift was a key factor in saving the game from the lack of effort seen in previous years.

The match reached its climax with a game-winning three-pointer by Scottie Barnes, which came after what Wembanyama viewed as a breakdown in defensive assignments. In an interview about his reaction to the loss and the final play, Victor Wembanyama offered a direct critique of his team’s performance.

He said, “Yeah. It was our second time allowing a three when we shouldn’t have—of the game, really one quarter. I would’ve expected us to be smarter right there, so that was disappointing. But I think being honest with ourselves is good. And when it’s a game we love—it’s a game I personally cherish—so being competitive is the least I can do.” His refusal to accept subpar execution highlighted the serious approach he brought to the weekend. HoopsHype noticed this.

Anthony Edwards, who earned the MVP trophy after scoring thirty-two points throughout the night, remained adamant that Wembanyama was the catalyst for the change in atmosphere.

During his postgame comments, Edwards shared his perspective on the night’s intensity. He stated, “I ain’t gonna lie, Wemby set the tone. He came out playing hard. Hard not to match that, so, s**t, that’s what happened. Sorry for my language. But that’s what happened.”

This level of engagement from the league’s youngest stars has provided a new blueprint for the All-Star Games’ success.

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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards went viral on Friday for declaring that the All-Star Game “is what it is at this point.” It was a disappointingly transparent warning against any expectations of effort. It was evident after the first of Sunday’s four games that Edwards had changed his mind.

Team Stars—the younger group of American All-Stars—defeated Team World 37-35. After the game, Edwards told Zora Stephenson that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama’s intensity brought the competitive edge out of his group.

“I mean, you know, I ain’t gone lie, Wemby set the tone. Like, he came out playing hard. So it’s hard not to match that, so, s—, that’s what happened. Sorry for my language, that’s what happened though,” Edwards told Stephenson on NBC’s broadcast.

Edwards and Wembanyama are the two players most often referred to as the “future faces of the NBA,” a heartbreaking acknowledgement that the playing careers of two Akron-born superstars, their Slim-Reaping compatriot, and Kawhi Leonard will end. The Timberwolves guard has avoided the designation like the plague, but his MVP-winning performance worked against that on Sunday.

Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards make good on Muggsy Bogues’ All-Star prediction

One former NBA player saw the revival of the All-Star Game coming. Ironically, it was the shortest player in league history who had the vision necessary to disagree with an industry that had largely given up on the event.

Bogues told David Shepard on SiriusXM NBA Radio that players know that the game is just an exhibition and that fans “wait all year” for the event. He also predicted that just a couple of young, zealous All-Stars would bring the necessary fire out of the rest of the league’s best.

“It’s the players. They know it’s an All-Star game. But they know when it’s time to compete and give the fans exactly what they deserve … I think the message and the word is getting out. And I think some younger players understand the importance of it. And I think they’re gonna put some of their—I don’t know, maybe the older guys, on Front Street. Because when you’re putting that type of effort and that energy out there, it resonates. And it also shows who’s all in, and who’s all out,” Bogues clairvoyantly explained to Shepard ahead of All-Star Weekend.

Wembanyama’s approach to the competition was reminiscent of the fervor that fans saw a young Kobe Bryant bring to the 1998 All-Star Game. The Last Dance most recently highlighted the desire of veteran players to knock the eager Bryant down, the exact energy that the sixth-year guard in Edwards had for the third-year phenomenon.

Throwing financial incentives at the league’s wealthiest players has not proven to incentivize effort. However, challenges from their peers tap into the competitive spirit that fuels their battles against the best players in the world. That’s the NBA’s key to saving its All-Star Game, which it accomplished regardless of format changes.

The event will always go as far as its best talent will take it. This year, they shot for the stars.

The post How Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama ‘setting the tone’ saved NBA All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the end, none of them won the trophy, as Team Stars conquered the mini-tournament. It was the young guns, including Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, who shone the brightest at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Edwards was named All-Star Game MVP, while Wembanyama almost single-handedly carried Team World. Edwards acknowledged Wembanyama for setting the tone in the midseason spectacle, and Brunson agreed.

“I think Wemby’s a leader. The way he carried himself is fantastic for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you see what his impact is on and off the court around this game. So he’s doing what he does,” said Brunson.

Jalen Brunson agrees with Anthony Edwards and says Victor Wembanyama set the tone for the intensity of the All-Star Game

“I mean, yeah. I think Wemby’s a leader. The way he carries himself is fantastic for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you see what his impact… https://t.co/yOCqsqKPoM pic.twitter.com/DYzrcmrFm1

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026

The 22-year-old Wembanyama, who played in his second straight All-Star Game, tallied 33 points on 10-of-13 shooting, eight rebounds, and two blocks in two games, although they lost both of them.

For his part, the 29-year-old Brunson had 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in three games.

Even before the much-anticipated contest, Wembanyama made it clear that he doesn’t see it as a relaxed exhibition, stressing the need to play hard to compete.

Team World still had a chance to advance to the final, but Wembanyama missed the three-pointer that would have sent the game against Team Stripes into overtime.

Meanwhile, Brunson and the Knicks will return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

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Although Wembanyama and Team World never made it to the championship round of the All-Star Weekend tournament, he showed everyone just how competitive he is by going all out in the two games his team played.

Wembanyama’s competitiveness, even in exhibition games, reflects his respect for basketball.

“It’s the game we love. Being competitive is the least I can do,” Wembanyama told reporters after the event (h/t ESPN).

In Team World’s first game in the round robin against Team Stars, Victor Wembanyama dropped 14 points and added six rebounds and three blocks in a 37-35 overtime loss.

In the following game against Team Stripes, the top overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft racked up 19 points with two rebounds, but his impressive performance was ultimately wasted in a 48-45 loss to Kawhi Leonard and company. Leonard, a former Spurs star, led the way for Team Stripes in that contest, as he went off for 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting from the floor.

The 22-year-old Wembanyama also simply does not like losing, a mindset that the Spurs must be happy that their franchise cornerstone has.

At the All-Star break, the French star has averaged 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks, while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from behind the arc through 40 games.

Wembanyama should make plenty more All-Star appearances in the future, but those can wait.

For now, he and the Spurs will look to keep it going, as they now prepare for a game against the Phoenix Suns at home on Thursday.

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Against the Stars, the World Team lost by just two points, 37-35, in a game that went to overtime. During the extra period, it was an unlikely source in Scottie Barnes who drilled the game-winning three — prompting the Spurs star to react with such infuriation that it’s hard not to feel for him considering how seriously he was taking the game.

SCOTTIE BARNES GAME WINNING THREE

pic.twitter.com/XFJ9vmB21i

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026

Wembanyama was furious because Team Stars needed a three to win and Karl-Anthony Towns and Deni Avdija inexplicably showed so much help towards Jalen Duren’s roll that it opened up Barnes for a three. While Barnes may be shooting 30.1 percent from deep on the season, this is not a good shot to give up considering the moment.

The Spurs star’s anger is justified, especially when this defeat forced them into a must-win situation against Team Stripes, which they promptly lost by three.

Victor Wembanyama’s competitiveness is what fuels the Spurs

It doesn’t happen often that a star of Wembanyama’s caliber comes with his competitive edge and ferocity on the hardwood that it even bleeds into how he plays in the All-Star Game. But the Spurs have been counting their lucky stars over the past few years and are now ready to take the next step in their return to contention.

Wembanyama scored a total of 33 points in the 20 minutes he played, and he would have been a shoo-in for MVP had Team World actually managed to win a game.

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Recently, Wembanyama met former NBA player Tacko Fall, who was in attendance for Friday night’s celebrity game, and amazingly, Fall made the Spurs star look like a regular-sized human when they spoke face to face, per the NBA’s official account on X, formerly Twitter.

A closer view of Victor Wembanyama and Tacko Fall standing together

(via @NBA) https://t.co/CkuauMbNIE pic.twitter.com/06SVDudVmv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

Fall once played for the NBA’s Boston Celtics, and at 7’6″, he is among the tallest players in the history of the league.

Still, Wembanyama isn’t very far off from that mark, and his insane combination of agility, outside shooting touch, and defensive prowess has made him arguably the most can’t-miss player in the league today.

Wembanyama has the Spurs playing at an elite pace so far in the 2025-26 season, currently in the driver’s seat to secure the number two seed in the Western Conference, and his injury concerns have tapered off a bit in recent months after a calf injury forced him to miss extended time earlier in the year.

As previously mentioned, there has been some outrage from fans in recent years, as it has become increasingly obvious that players are treating the All-Star game more as a joke than something to be taken seriously.

However, the hope is that Wembanyama and some of the other young players at the event will give a respectable effort on Sunday evening and entertain the fans in attendance and those watching at home.

Tipoff for the All-Star game is set for 5:00 pm ET from Los Angeles, and will be televised by NBC.

The post Picture of former NBA player Tacko Fall making Victor Wembanyama look small goes viral appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Am I going to shed a tear? I might cry a little bit,” Edwards said.

Another question was asked to Edwards on if he’d like to become the face of the league with James retiring.

“Man, them folks got Victor Wembanyama. That’s what they got going on. They got Wemby. They’ll be all right,” Edwards said.

"They got [Victor] Wembanyama. They'll be aight."

Anthony Edwards on becoming the future face of the league

(via @WorldWideWob)pic.twitter.com/DGLJGbPJpH

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

It’s obvious that Edwards does not want that title, because he was asked the same thing last year and pretty much gave the same answer. As for Wembanyama, it seems like he doesn’t mind being the future face of the league.

“I definitely see it happening… Supply and demand. I’m here to supply,” Wembanyama said.

There will be several players who many could see as the future face of the league, and it includes guys such as Wembanyama, Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and many more. As of now, Tatum should have the top spot because of the success that he’s had over the course of his career, but Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t seem to be far off.

Wembanyama can make a case for himself if he continues to dominate and win at a high level, and it seems like he can reach that point sooner rather than later.

As for Edwards, he has the charisma to be the face of the league, but it doesn’t look like he’s interested in carrying that weight on his shoulders.

The post Anthony Edwards’ Wemby mic drop after admitting he’ll cry when LeBron retires appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bryant dazzled fans inside the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome on All-Star Saturday and scored 50s across the board following an East Bay slam in the second round. The 20-year-old forward fell short in the final versus Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson, but he still put on a show in his native California.

CARTER BRYANT ALL 50’s!

Carter Bryant went up HIGH for this dunk

pic.twitter.com/BJ6aNtTBnS

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026

Bryant bounced off the floor and delivered what could have been the best dunk of the night. Unfortunately, he missed a surefire opportunity to win the event and was forced to settle for second place. The former Arizona talent can still take great pride in posting a perfect score.

Bryant still has much to learn, but he is already making noticeable progress in his first NBA season. The 2024 McDonald’s All-American is enjoying a promising February, averaging 9.0 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range in just 16.7 minutes per contest. One can only learn so much from a six-game sample size, but this young player is quickly earning trust from his teammates and coaching staff.

He should also earn more fans following his viral jam. Keep an eye on Carter Bryant.

The post Spurs’ Carter Bryant comes up short in NBA Dunk Contest despite perfect 50 slam appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Speaking during NBA All-Star Media Day at Intuit Dome, Wembanyama was asked whether he would shed a tear when James steps away from the game.

“No.” laughing

He then added:

“I’m not going to shed a tear but it is going to be very weird for sure.”

Wemby on whether he cry when Lebron retires:

“No” pic.twitter.com/dXHLb3eEtl

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 14, 2026

The lighthearted exchange came as players reflected on sharing what could potentially be James’ final All-Star appearance. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was posed the same question and offered a different response.

“Am I going to shed a tear? I might cry a little bit.” laughing.

Ant: “I might cry a little bit”

who th is asking this question??? https://t.co/sUFOBY7wPo pic.twitter.com/e66sP1tsus

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 14, 2026

James, 41, is currently in his 23rd NBA season and continues to produce at a high level for the Lakers. Through 36 games, he is averaging 22 points, 7.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range in 33.3 minutes per contest. Los Angeles enters the weekend with a 33-21 record.

On Thursday night, James became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, further adding to a résumé that spans two decades.

Wembanyama has previously spoken about what he can learn from James’ longevity and professionalism, calling him an example of how to navigate the spotlight as the face of the league. As the NBA transitions into a new era, the Spurs’ 22-year-old centerpiece is widely viewed as one of the league’s future standard-bearers.

Whether emotional or not, Wembanyama acknowledged that James’ eventual departure will mark a significant shift across the NBA landscape.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama says he won’t cry when Lakers star LeBron James retires appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wembanyama spoke during the NBA’s All-Star Media Day on Saturday, reflecting on James’ two-decade run at the center of the sport’s spotlight.

“He’s very intelligent in like those areas with him obviously being the face of the league. And in two decades, very few mistakes like very few PR mistakes so I think that definitely takes some intelligence. I think there’s many things to take from him. I never had that chance to spend time with him to have a full discussion and I would love to talk to him… I don’t know how many millions of basketball players in the Earth and all of them can learn something from LeBron.”

The comments come as Wembanyama continues to ascend in his third NBA season. The 22-year-old is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range across 40 games.

“He’s very intelligent… Very few PR mistakes. I think that definitely takes some intelligence… I would love to [talk to him about that]… All of them can learn something from LeBron.”

Victor Wembanyama on LeBron James’ impact as the face of the NBA.pic.twitter.com/o94wUlNMdy

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

LeBron James’ blueprint shapes Victor Wembanyama’s rise as NBA’s next face

San Antonio enters the All-Star break with a 38-16 record, good for second place in the Western Conference, and riding a six-game winning streak. The Spurs’ surge has fueled growing conversation about Wembanyama’s place among the league’s elite.

Earlier this week on NBA Today, former center Kendrick Perkins declared Wembanyama the new face of the NBA, citing his production, global appeal and willingness to embrace the spotlight. The discussion has intensified as the Spurs position themselves as contenders in the West.

For Wembanyama, the blueprint remains clear. James, now in his 22nd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has navigated stardom while maintaining sustained excellence on the court. From performance to professionalism, Wembanyama views the four-time champion as a model for longevity and leadership.

As the league looks toward its next era, the intersection between James’ legacy and Wembanyama’s rise continues to shape the narrative surrounding the NBA’s future.

The post How Lakers’ LeBron James shaped Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s path to becoming face of NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While talking with NBA Insider Chris Haynes, the 22-year-old phenom was asked about what he thinks about becoming the new face of the league. Wembanyama confidently informed Haynes that he sees that coming to fruition.

“How do you view the status of being potentially the next face of this league?” asked Haynes.

“I definitely see it happening… Supply and demand. I’m here to supply,” replied Wembanyama.

Chris B. Haynes: "How do you view the status of being potentially the next face of this league?"

Victor Wembanyama: "I definitely see it happening… Supply and demand. I'm here to supply."

(via @ChrisBHaynes)pic.twitter.com/bqOzNaYsR4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

Since entering the league in 2023 as the No. 1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the draft that season, Wembanyama has been one of the most talked-about players in the NBA. The fact that he is 7-foot-4 and can play like a guard makes him one of the most intriguing players spectators have ever seen. His offensive and defensive skills make him one of the best two-way players in basketball right now.

Victor Wembanyama is playing a key role in leading the Spurs to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference at the All-Star Break. Through 40 games played this season, the three-year veteran is averaging 24.4 points (on pace for career-high), 11.1 rebounds (on pace for career-high), and 2.7 blocks (league leader) per contest. He’s also shooting 51.1% from the floor (career-high) and 36.3% from beyond the three-point line (career-high).

We will see Wembanyama in action on Sunday in the NBA All-Star Game. He will be playing for Team World, which is playing against Team Stars.

The post Spurs star Victor Wembanyama ‘definitely’ envisions himself becoming face of NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He stuffs the stat sheet as a scorer and an efficient playmaker on one end of the floor, who can defend at a high level on the other. Castle talked about defending Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander in their respective Spurs matchups against the Lakers and Thunder, per ESPN’s NBA Today.

“I take a lot of pride in that. I ask for those matchups. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I feel like I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league,” Castle said. “Day in and day out, I’m just trying to prove that.”

"I take a lot of pride in that… I ask for those matchups. I wouldn't want it any other way. I feel like I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league."

Stephon Castle on what it’s like defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic pic.twitter.com/JgigTeCfxW

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

Castle played a significant role in the Spurs’ three consecutive victories over the Thunder in 12 days in December, including their Christmas Day showdown, which turned into a blowout win. Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 1-for-6 from deep. In only his second season, Castle is having a breakout campaign for the Spurs.

In a 138-125 win against the Dallas Mavericks, he made NBA history in becoming the youngest NBA player to record a 40/12/12 triple-double. He finished with 40 points, 12 assists, 12 rebounds, three steals, and one block.

Harrison Barnes on Spurs’ Stephon Castle All-Star consideration

While Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry recovers from a knee injury e NBA’s big weekend, Spurs veteran forward Harrison Barnes says Stephon Castle deserved All-Star consideration to replace SGA. Barnes also endorsed the other half of the Spurs’ backcourt in De’Aaron Fox as another option.

Considering the Spurs have the second-best record in the Western Conference, Barnes says either guard should replace Curry.

“It would be criminal if him [Castle] and Fox didn’t get a look. We’re No. 2 in the West,” Barnes said. “I think for what we’ve done, for the teams that are below us that had two All-Stars, I don’t know a case if we’re talking about impact on winning and playing high-level basketball, why either of them shouldn’t be selected and/or highly under consideration for those spots.”

Harrison Barnes advocated that at least one of his two Spurs teammates should have been named an All-Star alternate for Steph Curry:

"It'd be criminal if [Stephon Castle] and [De'Aaron] Fox didn't get a look. … For what we've done, for the teams that have been below us that… pic.twitter.com/Xjf3Fk9uz0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Although the NBA announced Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram to replace Curry, De’Aaron Fox will replace Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in Sunday’s All-Star

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle gets 100% real on defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Dylan suited up for Team Melo, coached by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, while Ron played for Team Austin, a squad of G League players coached by ex-NBA guard Austin Rivers.

It was a race to 40 points, and it was the younger Harper who drained the game-winner with a fallaway, 40-34. Not to mention, he hit it over his older brother.

DYLAN CALLS GAME!

Dylan Harper DRILLS the 1v1 bucket on his big brother Ron Harper Jr. for game

pic.twitter.com/FRcull7dKM

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The gutsy shot pumped up Anthony, who had a wide grin on the bench.

Team Melo will vie for the title against the winner of the game between Team Vince and Team T-Mac, coached by NBA icons Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, respectively.

As Rivers pointed out, it must have been surreal for the Harper brothers to share the court at All-Star Weekend. They surely battled each other countless times during their childhood. Now, they are doing it in the NBA. Their father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, must be extremely proud.

Brothers Dylan Harper and Ron Harper Jr. matching up in the Rising Stars Event tonight

(via @NBAonNBC)
pic.twitter.com/Go9dKPwGrm

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

Dylan had 10 points, one rebound, one steal, and one block. Ron failed to score but had seven rebounds and two assists.

The 19-year-old Dylan is enjoying a productive rookie season with the Spurs, averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists off the bench.

The 25-year-old Ron, meanwhile, is on a two-way contract with the Celtics. He recently had his first start, tallying 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in Boston’s win over the Houston Rockets.

The post Dylan Harper calls game on Ron Harper Jr. for NBA Rising Stars win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 7-foot-4 center is all business when he is on the court, especially when he is up against a fellow superstar. But he still knows how to have fun when he is not playing.

Wembanyama was in attendance at the All-Star Weekend on Friday in Los Angeles, and he showed a different kind of, um, athleticism when he slid down the railway at Kia Forum.

“Be careful, Vic,” said someone in the background.

“I’m being careful,” replied Wembanyama, who was sporting an all-white ensemble.

“Be careful Vic!”

Victor Wembanyama slides down the railway in Los Angeles at All-Star Weekend

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/kmP3AFplJi

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2026

Do not forget that he is just 22 years old. He must have done that many times when he was in school.

He, however, did not have a typical childhood. At only 10 years old, he was entered into the youth system of Nanterre 92, a professional club in France. Since then, he has devoted his life to basketball.

Wembanyama’s diligence has paid off, as he is now part of the NBA’s elite. He is a nightly headache for opponents with his size, skill set, and competitiveness. He has become more effective at utilizing his height, displaying increased aggressiveness.

He will play in his second straight All-Star Game on Sunday, leading Team World, along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, among others.

The post Watch Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama slide down railway at All-Star Weekend: ‘Be careful Vic’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Perkins pointed to the Spurs’ rise and Wembanyama’s impact as central reasons behind his stance.

“You think about what the Spurs are doing right now, they check all the boxes: they are playing at an elite level… We didn’t give Adam Silver and the NBA a congratulations today. They actually found their new face of the NBA. Yeah, Victor Wembanyama. He’s the new face of the NBA and if anybody wants to argue with me, we could argue for hours or days but you’re going to lose this argument.”

“They actually found their new face of the NBA. Yeah, Victor Wembanyama… He wants that. He checks that box.”

Kendrick Perkins on the NBA’s next superstar

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/Ge35LJHmnC

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2026

Perkins expanded on his reasoning, citing Wembanyama’s willingness to embrace the spotlight and deliver on the court.

“Here’s the reason why: when you talk about a guy that’s embracing that role and embodying that, he wants that. He checks that box. When you talk about a guy that’s going to perform at a high level and do things that we’ve never seen before, he’s going to do that. When you talk about a guy that’s going to put butts in the seats – not just at the crib, but in away arenas, he does that.”

Wembanyama, 22, is in his third NBA season and continues to anchor San Antonio’s surge up the Western Conference standings. Through 40 games, he is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range in 29 minutes per contest.

The Spurs enter the weekend at 38-16, holding the second seed in the Western Conference and riding a six-game winning streak heading into All-Star festivities at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The post Kendrick Perkins declares Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama new face of the NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sochan, 22, was the ninth-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Spurs. An All-Rookie team performer during the 2022-23 season, Sochan was not a main part of head coach Mitch Johnson’s rotations this season and has logged just 49 minutes since the start of January, leading to his release.

Many teams had been in contact with Sochan and his representation since his release from San Antonio, especially given that the buyout market for impactful forwards is light. Sochan was drawing interest from 10 different teams, including New York, according to ESPN.

Upon clearing waivers on Friday, Sochan will sign a minimum contract to be a key secondary player on the Knicks’ bench. With the franchise seeing a clear opportunity to win the Eastern Conference this season, the Knicks have added yet another essential talent to their bench since the trade deadline.

Along with targeting Jose Alvarado, whom New York added in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans before last Thursday’s deadline, the Knicks were also discussing paths to trade for Sochan from the Spurs, as reported on ClutchPoints. Ultimately, with the Spurs holding no interest in taking on Guerschon Yabusele’s contract, the Knicks were able to swing deals with the Chicago Bulls and Pelicans to land Alvarado.

The Knicks had one open roster spot to fill in the buyout market, and this roster spot will be filled by Sochan on Friday. In doing so, New York, which is currently $1.1 million below their second apron hard cap before signing Sochan, will remain in good financial standing for the remainder of the year.

At 6-foot-8, Sochan will provide the Knicks with much-needed forward depth behind Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. Between his athleticism and length, Sochan should be able to make a difference defensively when his number is called. In 212 career games with the Spurs, Sochan averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor.

Appearing in 28 of the Spurs’ 53 games this season, Sochan averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in roughly 12.8 minutes per game.

New York is currently 35-20 entering the All-Star break and is a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

The post Jeremy Sochan chooses Knicks out of 10 suitors after Spurs release appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The move comes after the Bucks confirmed that Antetokounmpo will remain sidelined as he continues to recover from a right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23. The league’s official PR account shared the update on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 PM ET on NBC & Peacock).

Fox joins USA Stripes. Heat guard Norman Powell, with ties to Jamaica, moves from USA Stripes to Team World.

Antetokounmpo is out with a calf strain.”

Fox, 28, earns the All-Star nod amid a productive campaign with the San Antonio Spurs. He is averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range across 45 appearances. He has logged 32 minutes per contest this season, providing scoring and playmaking for a Spurs team building around its young core.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 PM ET on NBC & Peacock).

Fox joins USA Stripes. Heat guard Norman Powell, with ties to Jamaica, moves from… pic.twitter.com/yTiBdlWfbZ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 12, 2026

De’Aaron Fox earns NBA All-Star nod as Giannis Antetokounmpo sits out

Antetokounmpo, a former MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, will not participate in Sunday’s showcase but is still expected to be present during All-Star Weekend. The Bucks shared an update regarding his status on X.

“Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to rehab his right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23.

He won’t play in this weekend’s All-Star Game, but will attend to help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday and cheer on his fellow Team World teammates at the All-Star Game on Sunday.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to rehab his right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23.

He won’t play in this weekend’s All-Star Game, but will attend to help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday and cheer on his fellow Team World teammates at the All-Star Game on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/2GlVvHE0Wp

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2026

Antetokounmpo’s absence marks a notable change for the event, as the 31-year-old remains one of the league’s most recognizable figures. Despite missing the exhibition game, his participation in the weekend’s festivities ensures his continued presence during the league’s midseason celebration.

Fox’s selection adds another accolade to his resume and gives the Spurs representation in one of the NBA’s premier events. The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. ET and will air on NBC and Peacock.

The post Spurs star De’Aaron Fox replaces Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in NBA All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, Wembanyama will be staying in California for the upcoming All-Star game, and recently, he revealed what he is most excited about regarding the festivities.

“Going to bed one hour later,” said Wembanyama on ESPN’s postgame interview after the Warriors game, per MrBuckBuck on X, formerly Twitter.

Wemby on what he’s looking forward to during all star break: “Going to bed one hour later” pic.twitter.com/RwkB3jBRlk

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 12, 2026

Wembanyama has indeed made it known that he prefers to stick to an early bedtime and read at night, so the All-Star weekend festivities in Los Angeles will provide a departure from that routine.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama has certainly earned his spot in the big game with his play this year, establishing himself as a consensus top-five player in the NBA, and far and away the league’s best defender.

His offense isn’t too shabby either, as it took Wembanyama just five minutes to put 17 points on the board in Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers’ backups. Wembanyama would end up finishing that game with 40 points, not having to do much in the second half due to the game’s blowout nature.

Overall, the Spurs have had a great season so far in 2025-26, currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference, and having already beaten the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder on four separate occasions this season.

Wembanyama will almost assuredly get his first taste of playoff basketball this season, and it will be interesting to see how this young Spurs team adjusts to the changes in the game that take place around that time of year.

Before that, however, Wembanyama will put his talents on display during the All-Star game on Sunday.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama giddy like a kid to stay up late during All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The update, first reported by NBA Insider Brett Siegel, is massive for a surging Spurs squad looking to extend its five-game winning streak. Castle had a quiet scoring night against the Lakers before the injury, finishing with just two points in 12 minutes, but his playmaking remained sharp as he racked up seven assists and a block before heading to the locker room.

San Antonio enters the matchup as a strong favorite against a depleted Golden State roster. The Warriors are missing significant firepower, with Stephen Curry (foot), Jimmy Butler (ACL), and Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) all sidelined.

Without their primary stars, the Warriors will have their hands full trying to contain Victor Wembanyama, who is fresh off a dominant 40-point, 12-rebound performance against Los Angeles, where he scored 37 points in the first half alone.

For the Spurs, having Castle in the lineup maintains their defensive edge and backcourt depth. The former UConn star has been a revelation, recently recording a 40-point triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks. His ability to facilitate the offense alongside De’Aaron Fox—who is averaging 19.3 points per night—has turned San Antonio into a legitimate Western Conference juggernaut.

With the Spurs sitting at 37-16 and holding the second seed in the West, tonight’s game provides a chance to gain ground on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot. Meanwhile, the 29-25 Warriors are fighting to stay in the playoff picture while weathering a brutal storm of injuries.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle gets final injury status vs. Warriors after scary fall appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Spurs’ release of Jeremy Sochan, the Silver and Black no longer have a single player on their roster from the 2021 and 2022 drafts. They missed badly on their first pick in 2019 as well.

Thank You Jeremy pic.twitter.com/5HKRFGW60X

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 11, 2026

In considering options for Jeremy Sochan leading up to the NBA trade deadline, the organization put him on the injury report in every game leading up to decision day. And though the ninth overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft wasn’t part of the rotation for most of the season, there was some expectation the contending Spurs would keep him on the roster once he cleared February 5.

Instead, the team waived the former Baylor Bear, who appeared in 28 of their 53 games, averaging 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and an assist in 12.8 minutes. In three and a half seasons in the Alamo City, Sochan averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.3 minutes.

Jeremy Sochan the latest Spurs draft pick to depart

The Polish-American Sochan, who grew up in England, was the headliner of a draft class that netted the Spurs three first-round picks four years ago. They took Malaki Branham with the 20th spot and Blake Wesley at 25 that June. Over this past summer, both were dealt to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kelly Olynyk. Include Kennedy Chandler, whom the team selected in that second round but never stuck with, and the organization has nothing to show from that draft.

Their 2021 Draft proved worse. With the 12th pick that year, they swung at Josh Primo; the youngest player who attended college to play in the NBA. After a rookie year in which Primo spent most of his days with the G League’s Austin Spurs, the franchise suddenly released the Alabama alum in October of 2022. A short time later, it was revealed that Primo had allegedly exposed himself to several women. There are no remaining Spurs from that draft either, as Joe Wieskamp was cut the following summer.

The longest tenured Spur on the roster, Keldon Johnson, joined the team as the 29th overall pick in 2019. But KJ wasn’t the first player San Antonio took that summer. That honor went Luka Šamanić at 19. A project, the 6-foot-10 forward struggled through two years with the organization and was a final cut before the 2021-’22 campaign.

Among the players available when the Spurs made the aforementioned choices: Trey Murphy III, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Williams, Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren.

The Victor Wembanyama effect

Of course, the what-ifs also have to account for Wemby. With guys like Murphy III, Jalen Williams and Walker Kessler in the fold, the Spurs probably wouldn’t have been bad enough to finish tied for the second-worst record in the league in 2022-’23.

Now, they sport the second-best record in the Western Conference heading into the All-Star Break.

Thanks to a successful 2024 draft that ushered in Stephon Castle, the second overall pick this past June (became Dylan Harper), and some shrewd front-office moves, San Antonio is not only a contender now but should be one for years to come.

Since winning Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, the rest appears to be history.

The post Jeremy Sochan release highlights how Victor Wembanyama is covering up for Spurs draft blunders appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Following the announcement that Ingram would replace Curry in the All-Star game, Spurs veteran Harrison Barnes was in disbelief that neither De’Aaron Fox nor Stephon Castle was named as the replacement.

“It would be criminal if him [Castle] and Fox didn’t get a look. We’re No. 2 in the West,” Barnes said. “I think for what we’ve done, for the teams that are below us that had two All-Stars, I don’t know a case if we’re talking about impact on winning and playing high-level basketball, why either of them shouldn’t be selected and/or highly under consideration for those spots.”

Stephon Castle was selected to participate in over All-Star Weekend as part of the Rising Stars competition alongside Spurs teammates Dylan Harper and David Jones Garcia. Jones Garcia is injured though and unable to take part in the event. Carter Bryant is also set to represent the Spurs at All-Star Weekend in the Dunk Contest.

But Castle has made the case as an All-Star this year, averaging 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals with splits of 46.8 percent shooting from the field, 28.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 72.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

As for Fox, it’s almost criminal, as Barnes said, that he has only made one All-Star team in his entire nine-year career thus far. This season he’s averaging 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 47.9 percent shooting from the field, 34.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 79.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post Harrison Barnes blasts NBA for lack of Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox All-Star consideration appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sochan, 22, was the ninth-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Spurs. An All-Rookie team performer during the 2022-23 season, Sochan has not been a main part of head coach Mitch Johnson’s rotations this season and has logged just 49 minute since the start of January.

Upon clearing waivers, Sochan will be one of the featured names in the NBA buyout market, with several playoff-contending teams expected to inquire about the young forward. Before the trade deadline, the New York Knicks were one of the teams who held interest in acquiring Sochan.

ESPN was first to report Sochan’s release from the team.

Once the trade deadline passed and Sochan, who had hoped to be traded, remained on the Spurs’ roster, there were no indications that he was going to be bought out. Sochan intended to remain in San Antonio and enter the offseason as a restricted free agent.

However, after remaining out of the team’s rotations and not having a clear role, both sides decided it was best to move on now and allow Sochan the opportunity to join a new team before the offseason.

A variety of teams will pursue Sochan over the next 48 hours before he clears waivers, and it’s not hard to imagine he already has a couple of teams lined up to speak with about a minimum contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Through the first two seasons of his career, Sochan was heavily utilized by the Spurs for his defensive abilities at multiple positions. Although he has shot just 28.7 percent from 3-point range for his career, he can instantly make a difference coming off the bench for teams expected to contend in the postseason.

Appearing in 28 of the Spurs’ 53 games this season, Sochan averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in roughly 12.8 minutes per game.

The Spurs now have one open roster spot that can be utilized to sign a player in the buyout market.

The post Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan surprisingly hits buyout market after trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“These kind of games, you’ve got to have greed,” Wemby responded when asked if would’ve liked to have played more than eight minutes in the second half.

“In every game, you have to have this greed to want more every time because at all times, it doesn’t matter who’s on the court, there’s somebody who’s going to want to stop you from doing what you do out there. So, you’ve got be greedy,” the generational star continued.

While declarative, Wembanyama was also nuanced in answering that same question.

“I don’t mind both ways. Of course, I’m ready to go back on the court. I was also pushing to go back, but they made the right choice by keeping me on the bench. We’ve got to think long term.”

In responding to a question about whether he wanted to end the night with 60 points given his first half, the 7-foot-5 center responded affirmatively before elaborating.

“I know it, but I also know we’ve got to be fresh for tomorrow. We got to make another statement tomorrow, so it’s a team game at the end of the day. What the real stat that matters is the W or the L.”

Victor Wembanyama’s huge night in context

According to Stathead, in playing 26:06 at the Lakers, the 2023 first overall draft pick became only the third player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in less than 27 minutes since 1976-1977, joining New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing and Sleepy Floyd.

The victory in Los Angeles marked the sixth time in his young career that he’s scored at least 40. That already passes the greatest Spur ever on the list of most 40+ games in franchise history. Tim Duncan did it five times over his legendary career. Related, fellow Spurs icon Manu Ginobili enjoyed six 40+ point games, which is now tied with Wemby for sixth on that San Antonio list, though the French native now has more 30-point games (33) than did Ginobili.

Off the heels of Stephon Castle’s 40 points in their previous game, Wembanyama’s 40-piece meant Spurs players hit that number in back to back contests for the first time since 1984 when Mike Mitchell put up 43 two nights after George Gervin scored 42.

“It feels right,” Wemby said about a night like the one he enjoyed at the Lakers.

His 25-point performance in the first quarter is not only a personal high for a period, but also the most by any Spur in any single quarter in the play-by-play era since 1996 and ranks as the third highest scoring quarter in franchise history. Only Gervin with 33 and David Robinson with 28, both Hall-of-Famers, have put up more in a period as members of the Silver and Black.

“What got me going is, honestly, proving myself on point, proving my team on point,” the Spurs leading scorer concluded about a night that registered historically. And not just for his franchise. Wemby’s 37 points in the first half are the most in 18 or fewer minutes since Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker matched the same numbers in a first half in January of 2024.

In the end, though, despite the scorching start, it wasn’t a career night for Wembanyama. Blame his lack of greed.

The post Why Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama says ‘greed’ is good appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During the latest episode of ‘Run It Back,’ presented by FanDuel TV, former NBA players Lou Williams and Chandler Parsons gave their thoughts on if Victor Wembanyama is going to be the next player to ultimately reach 100 points in a game.

“If there’s anyone that’s gonna do it, I think it’s him,” Parsons said. “If you see the way he’s talking about All-Star Weekend, his approach is just different. His maturity is just different. This game, it was just the Wemby show. . .I don’t know about a 100-ball, cause again, it’s gonna have to be a competitive game, and I don’t know if he’s gonna be able to be doing things like this with Luka, LeBron, [Austin] Reaves, [Deandre] Ayton, [Marcus] Smart on the floor, which none of them played so we knew this was going to get ugly quick.”

For Williams, he was a little bit more subdued in suggesting that the Spurs star could reach the century mark in scoring one day.

“First of all, he doesn’t shoot enough. Second of all, I’ve played with some real guns, some real guys that shoot, shoot, shoot the basketball, and they still haven’t been able to do it,” Williams said. “I just don’t think he has the mentality to go out there and take 50-60 reps.”

“That would go completely against this thoughts on ‘ethical basketball,’ Williams continued.

Against the Lakers, Wembanyama took 20 shots and 12 free-throws en route to his 40-point night. His career high thus far is 50 points which he reached in November 2024. In that game, a win against the Washington Wizards, Wembanyama took 29 shots, including 16 3-point attempts, and 13 free-throws.

The post Can Victor Wembanyama score 100 points in a game? Ex-players share thoughts appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After recording a terrific block on a driving Rui Hachimura with less than four and a half minutes remaining in the second quarter, Castle crashed to the floor and suffered a pelvic contusion. He went to the locker room and was inactive for the rest of the game. A great play ended in what initially seemed like a brutal injury. Luckily, the 21-year-old received good news. His X-rays came back negative, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

The Spurs are not ready to rule him out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, which is the squad’s last game before the NBA All-Star break. San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson expects Castle to be “more than pretty sore,” per Weiss, but the organization is surely elated to know that one of its most important players did not sustain any long-term damage.

While one would assume that the Spurs will err on the side of caution regardless of how the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year feels, fans will have to wait for a final injury update before the upcoming San Francisco showdown.

Castle finished with two points, seven assists and the aforementioned block in 12 minutes versus LA. He obviously wanted to stay in rhythm following his masterful performance against the Mavs, but the 2024 national champion surely takes satisfaction in seeing the Spurs strengthen their hold on second place after winning their fifth straight game.

Hopefully, Stephon Castle is able to get some rest and quickly recover.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle gets positive update after leaving Lakers game with an injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wembanyama almost single-handedly destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, as the Spurs rolled to an easy win, 136-108.

The two-time All-Star took advantage of the depleted roster of the Lakers, who played without their big three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves due to injury management. Wembanyama exploded for a game-high 40 points on 13-of-20 shooting. He also had 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.

Lakers coach JJ Redick, who probably had a migraine in finding ways to stop Wembanyama, had high praise for the 22-year-old star.

“He’s one of the five best players in the world. He’s put that stamp on himself. To me, it’s more than the counting stats with him because there’s such an avoidance of him defensively, and there’s an awareness you have to have with him defensively,” said Redick in the postgame conference.

“He impacts the game in ways that don’t show up in the box score. On top of that, he’s one of one as a human. You could see the collective belief and collective culture that they’ve established over the last few years with him.”

JJ on Wemby:

"He's one of the five best players in the world. He's put that stamp on himself. He's one of one as a human" pic.twitter.com/tLjMzP8Yiq

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 11, 2026

Wembanyama, who scored 25 points in the first quarter, has quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s elite, dismissing early concerns that he might have trouble with the physicality in the league.

Wembanyama’s blend of height, skill, and versatility is remarkable, even surreal at times, especially whenever he makes a play that feels physically impossible.

With him playing at a cosmic level, it’s not a coincidence that the Spurs have the third-best record at 37-16.

Even a giraffe can figure that out.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama earns top 5 take from JJ Redick after torching Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Castle landed hard on the floor after making a spectacular block on Rui Hachimura in the second quarter. He went to the locker room, leaving his status in doubt heading into halftime. Fans now know that the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year will miss the remainder of the contest. Since the NBA All-Star break begins on Feb. 13, the Spurs may want to keep Castle out for Wednesday’s game versus the Golden State Warriors, even if he is able to play.

Hopefully, the former top-five draft pick will be healthy after the regular season pause. He raises San Antonio’s ceiling to impressive heights.

Stephon Castle has a pelvic contusion and will not return to tonight’s game against the Lakers. https://t.co/1PlaWW5Edl

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 11, 2026

Castle scored just two points on one field goal attempt in 12 minutes versus LA but did dish out a stellar seven assists before exiting. Whether he is posting a 40-point triple-double, recording nine steals in a three-game span, showcasing his playmaking skills or hustling on defense, this young talent is constantly contributing to winning basketball.

Stephon Castle was averaging 17.1 points on 46.7 percent shooting to go with 7.0 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals entering Tuesday’s game. His 3-point shooting is obviously a weakness — 28.9 percent — but he is an indisputable franchise pillar.

Fortunately, the Spurs handled the severely-shorthanded Lakers just fine without him. Victor Wembanyama torched Los Angeles for 40 points in 26 minutes of action, leading the squad to its fifth consecutive victory. San Antonio will certainly need Castle in the long run, however.

He will try to make a swift recovery and resume his do-it-all role for the Spurs.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle leaves Lakers game after scary fall appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wemby in the 1st half of Lakers-Spurs:

37 points
8 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal
1 block

12-of-17 FG
3-of-5 3PT
10-of-12 FT pic.twitter.com/5eIa4Hg8YX

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Wembanyama was simply unstoppable in the first 24 minutes, exploding for 37 points. To put that in perspective, he nearly matched the Lakers’ entire first-half scoring output by himself.

The French phenom displayed the full arsenal, shooting a scorching 12-of-17 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He wasn’t just settling for jumpers, either; his aggressiveness forced the Lakers into constant foul trouble, leading to a 10-of-12 mark from the charity stripe before the break.

It wasn’t just the scoring that left the Los Angeles crowd stunned. Wembanyama cleaned up the glass with eight rebounds and anchored the defense with a block and a steal, proving once again that he is a two-way force unlike anything the league has ever seen. By halftime, the San Antonio Spurs held a commanding 84-55 lead, leaving a short-handed Lakers squad searching for answers.

The Lakers entered the contest already facing an uphill battle, playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Without their primary defensive anchors and playmakers, Los Angeles had no answer for Wembanyama’s length and versatility.

While the Spurs have enjoyed a balanced season, highlighted by Stephon Castle’s recent 40-point triple-double, Tuesday was a reminder of who wears the crown in San Antonio.

As the Spurs look to extend their winning streak to five games, Wembanyama is officially on pace to challenge single-game scoring records that many thought were untouchable in the modern era.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama explodes for 37 points in first half against Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

They also made a huge trade at last year’s trade deadline when they dealt for De’Aaron Fox. The Spurs are now one of the top teams in the Western Conference, but was their trade deadline inactivity a mistake?

Not making a trade deadline move was a mistake for the Spurs

The Spurs are in second place in the Western Conference. They’ve taken strides forward this year and should contend for years to come. The 36-16 team is seventh in both points (117.6) and points against (112.2). Wembanyama is 7-foot-4, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year contender, and an offensive unicorn.

He is just one of eight players on the team averaging double-digit scoring figures, though. Fox has blazing speed, Harper has been one of the best first-year players, and Castle is the reigning Rookie of the Year. Furthermore, Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagne have taken on necessary 3-and-D roles.

It often takes a postseason heartbreak for teams to become legitimate contenders, but there is no doubting that the Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA. A trade deadline addition could have helped ensure they truly will push for the NBA Finals this season. The Spurs have a young core and didn’t want to mortgage the future for an all-in trade, though.

However, they have assets to spare, and they could have made a trade without sacrificing anyone from their core. The Spurs still have seven future first-round picks. In what was one of the busiest trade deadlines ever, both stars and role players alike were on the trading block.

A trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example, was shut down pretty quickly by the Spurs’ organization. The two-time MVP just made too much sense as a San Antonio trade target, though. The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t trade Antetokounmpo despite his desire to find a new home, illustrating that the Spurs likely could have outbid anybody for his services because the offers were seemingly underwhelming.

Even if the Spurs didn’t want to make a blockbuster, they could have made a lower-stakes trade that didn’t change their future outlook too much, but one that could have brought veteran experience and leadership to a playoff push. Players such as Jose Alvarado, Nick Richards, Luke Kennard, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jared McCain were acquired by various teams at the deadline for relatively cheap.

Any of these players could have been attainable and helpful for the Spurs. These role players all have plenty of experience, play on cheap contracts, and have a skill set that would have benefited the Spurs. Instead, San Antonio was passive, and they stood by idly while the rest of the league tried to get better.

Championship windows don’t last forever in the NBA. While this is viewed as just the beginning of what could be a special run for the Spurs, the potential of the team not contending for as long as expected can’t be ruled out. Wembanyama’s injury history only furthers this sentiment, and the team may end up pinching themselves for not being aggressive at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

The post Spurs’ biggest 2026 NBA trade deadline mistake after making 0 deals appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It’s one of the best stat lines I’ve seen with my own eyes,” the Spurs generational talent declared.

From Wemby's lips to the #NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the other half of 'Area 51'

"…That's one of the best stat lines with my own eyes"

Stephon Castle gets his first such honor thanks to the historic 40, 12 & 12 in the #Spurs w vs Dal#PorVida #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/MxRWGaBRP8

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 9, 2026

Capping off the week with his second career triple-double, the 40 points represent a career-high for Castle on 15-19 from the field, including three of five from beyond the arc and seven of ten from the free throw line. He added two steals on the defensive end. The former UConn star became just the second player in NBA history to post a 40-point triple-double while shooting at least 75% from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain. He’s now also mentioned alongside David Robinson as the only Spurs player to ever record a 40-point triple-double. Related, he became the third-youngest player in NBA history to accomplish the feat, behind only LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

“He’s already up there as one of the best players in the league, so thank God there’s still room to improve,” Wemby added of the reigning Rookie of the Year.

Castle helped guide San Antonio to a 3-0 record from February 4 through 7, averaging 24 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and three steals in 26.7 minutes per game, while shooting 63% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. The Covington, Georgia, also had 14 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks over 26 minutes in a win vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. The next night, he registered 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in just 21 minutes off the bench in a road win at Dallas.

“I mean, for sure the best game of his career so far. It’s amazing,” Wembanyama said following the 40-12-12 outing, which marked the Spurs second victory in three nights vs. the Mavs.

Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama share more than nickname

A two-time Western Conference Player of the Week, Wemby and Castle have become known as “Area 51.” A moniker based off each player’s jersey number, it appears to fit perfectly considering Wembanyama’s “Alien” nickname.

On the night Castle experienced the rarest of performances, especially for someone as young as 21, the 7-foot-5 generational talent’s night was pedestrian by comparison – and by his own standards. Wemby scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“He played the right way and he capitalized on the defense’s choices and he made them pay for it,” the 2023 first overall draft pick said of Castle’s outing that same night.

“I thought he was absolutely phenomenal all night with his pace, being in attack mode and balancing all of it at the same time,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson added about the squad’s 2024 first-round draft pick.

The one area in which Castle didn’t shine? His banging of a center court drum in what’s becoming a Spurs tradition after wins at home.

“Has some range to get better for sure,” Wembanyama chuckled about his teammate’s first time doing the honors.

Atlanta Hawks standout Jalen Johnson won the Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle joins Victor Wembanyama with latest honor after ‘best stat line’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Having a game like this is definitely a dream come true.”

"Having a game like this is definitely a dream come true…"
-Stephon Castle following a night that statistically (40 points, 12 assists, & 12 rebounds in victory) is among the most impressive the #NBA has ever seen for a player his age.#Spurs #PorVida #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/4Hfr8p5C3s

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 8, 2026

With his second career triple-double, Castle became just the ninth Spur to record multiple triple-doubles (teammate Victor Wembanyama has four), and that may be the least impressive aspect of a night that saw him post a new career high in the third quarter when he scored his 34th point of a 138-125 victory vs. the Dallas Mavericks.

“It felt good to just be out there, feel comfortable with every shot that I took, to see them go in,” the reigning Rookie of the Year said.

Castle joined Hall-of-Famer David Robinson as the only Spurs to record 40-point triple-doubles.

“Obviously, he’s a big part of this franchise. What he did for this organization was great. So, just to hear my name even alongside his is special. I see him around the facility all the time. Talked to him a couple times. Great guy,” the former UConn star shared for “The Admiral.”

Stephon Castle takes in rare performance

Not yet 22 years old, Castle became the third-youngest player in NBA history to notch a 40-point triple-double, trailing only LeBron James and Luka Dončić. The 6-foot-6 guard shot 15/19, including 3/5 from the three-point range.

“I don’t know. Maybe high school, maybe,” Castle responded when asked if he’d ever enjoyed a similar shooting night over his playing days.

“But yeah, it just felt good to be out there and pick my spots well, not having to really force anything, I feel like a lot of my buckets were either wide open or easy ones that I created for myself.”

The Spurs starting point joined Wilt Chamberlain, who did it three times, as the only players who’ve totaled a 40-point triple-double while shooting at least 75% from the field. And at 21 years and 98 days old, Castle is now the youngest player in league history with 40-12-12 in a game. The legendary Oscar Robinson previously held the record at 22 years 33 days.

It’s the kind of outing that necessitated an immediate team celebration.

“It feels good because if it was anybody else, I’d be the one hitting them with the towel,” Castle said of his teammates’ swatting him with towels right after. “I feel like that’s just the luxury of always cheering on your teammates, always being a great teammate. When it’s your night, they’ll cheer you on.”

The second-year Spur also led a blossoming Spurs tradition that Wembanyama has started after victories.

“That was my first time. Yeah, it was cool,” Castle said of banging a drum that is rolled onto mid court following the final buzzer.

“Not really. I kind of went based off the last couple I’ve seen,” the Covington, Georgia native responded when asked if Wemby provided any instructions on a ritual that started following a December 23 win vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I thought I did decent? Yeah, I studied the tape a little bit,” Castle added.

It’s the only thing about his night that could be described as just decent.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle living the dream after historic 40-point triple-double appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Castle made 15 of 19 shots from the field, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, and converted 7 of 10 free throws. He also contributed three steals and a block in 32 minutes, joining the likes of Wilt Chamberlain as one of the few players in NBA history to surpass 75 percent shooting in a 40-point triple-double game. His night of dominion crescendoed with a signature windmill dunk over a missed shot that put San Antonio ahead 129-108 with just over six minutes remaining.

Commanding the tempo from the opening whistle, the Spurs built an 11-point lead after the first quarter, which blossomed into an 81-67 halftime lead, the highest point total in a half for San Antonio this season. Devin Vassell scored 17 points, with Wembanyama chiming in a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Moreover, De’Aaron Fox contributed 15 points, and bench players Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant each added 11 points. The Spurs, converting 55.6 percent of their field-goal attempts and controlling the paint, transfigured the game into a rapid-fire exhibition beyond Dallas’s grasp.

Meanwhile, Klay Thompson led all Mavericks scorers with 19 points. Marvin Bagley III, Dallas’s newest addition from the Anthony Davis trade to the Washington Wizards, scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Brandon Williams contributed 18 points. Rookie Cooper Flagg’s four-game spree of 30-plus points met its halt, as he finished with 14 points and remained off the floor in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks have now lost seven consecutive games, including the season series to San Antonio.

The Spurs, now winners of nine of their last 12 games and on a four-game streak, improved to 36-16, keeping them in second place in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Beginning their annual Rodeo Road Trip, the Spurs will face the Los Angeles Lakers next on Tuesday night.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle joins elite San Antonio company with career-best performance vs. Mavericks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In 32 minutes of action, he filled up the stat sheet with a remarkable performance of 40 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and one block. He shot 15-of-19 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.

This performance ended up putting him in the record books with how young he was to pull off the 40-point triple-double. As San Antonio posted on its social media account, Castle became the youngest player in league history to record 40 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

“The youngest player in NBA history to put up 40-12-12 in a game: @StephonCastle,” the post read.

How Stephon Castle, Spurs played against Mavericks

It was smooth sailing for Stephon Castle and the Spurs, beating the Mavericks 138-125 at home.

San Antonio’s offense overwhelmed the Dallas defense, scoring 33 or more points throughout each of the first three quarters. Even as the Mavericks cut into the deficit in the fourth period, it was too late for them to make a rally from the big hole they made for themselves.

Rebounding and inside scoring made the difference in this matchup. The Spurs prevailed in both categories after securing 52 rebounds and scoring 74 points inside the paint. It wasn’t the same for the Mavericks as they grabbed 41 rebounds and scored 50 points inside the paint.

Six players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the win, including Castle. Devin Vassell delivered a solid performance with 17 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one block. He shot 7-of-15 overall, including 1-of-4 from downtown, and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Victor Wembanyama came next with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox put up 15 points and five assists. Meanwhile, Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper scored 11 points each.

San Antonio improved to a 36-16 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rolling with four consecutive wins, the Spurs will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle becomes youngest player in NBA history to accomplish this feat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Castle is halfway through the second season of his NBA career with the Spurs. He has made significant strides as a two-way guard throughout his sophomore campaign, helping San Antonio make a firm jump into the playoff picture.

His ability to make remarkable plays as a scorer and playmaker was on full display in San Antonio’s in-state duel with Dallas. One of his highlights took place in the early minutes of the second half. Castle stole the ball from Max Christie as the star guard completed the fastbreak play with a windmill dunk.

WINDMILL THROWDOWN

Stephon Castle has 25 points on 10-of-10 shooting from the field so far tonight!

pic.twitter.com/tbs1wWwsLp

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 8, 2026

How Stephon Castle, Spurs played against Mavericks

Stephon Castle dominated on the court all game, leading the Spurs to a 138-125 win over the Mavericks.

San Antonio’s offense overwhelmed the Dallas defense, scoring 33 or more points throughout each of the first three quarters. Even as the Mavericks cut into the deficit in the fourth period, it was too late for them to make a rally from the big hole they made for themselves.

Rebounding and inside scoring made the difference in this matchup. The Spurs prevailed in both categories after securing 52 rebounds and scoring 74 points inside the paint. It wasn’t the same for the Mavericks as they grabbed 41 rebounds and scored 50 points inside the paint.

Six players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the win, including Castle. He filled up the stat sheet with a remarkable performance of 40 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and one block. He shot 15-of-19 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. Devin Vassell came next with 17 points and six assists, Victor Wembanyama had 16 points and 11 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox put up 15 points and five assists. Meanwhile, Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper scored 11 points each.

San Antonio improved to a 36-16 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rolling with four consecutive wins, the Spurs will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The post Spurs’ Stephon Castle shows off with vicious windmill dunk appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend draws closer to next week’s festivities, which run from Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday night at Intuit Dome, the league revealed the players set to compete in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest. The event will take place Saturday night at 5 p.m. ET at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena in Inglewood, California.

The NBA PR account shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday that Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant, Orlando Magic rookie guard Jase Richardson, and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson will participate in the contest.

Hayes enters the contest as one of the league’s most physically gifted finishers. The veteran center is known for his leaping ability and power above the rim, traits that have consistently shown up in game action throughout his career.

The field is set for AT&T Slam Dunk

A new champion will be crowned, with all four players making their event debuts.

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5 PM ET
NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/QZ3TN9LrzA

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 7, 2026

Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant lead Slam Dunk Contest field in search of new champion

Bryant and Richardson headline the rookie contingent. Bryant, a first-year forward with San Antonio, has flashed athletic upside early in his NBA career, while Richardson has emerged as an explosive guard option for Orlando. Johnson rounds out the field after showcasing his vertical athleticism and creativity with Miami.

The 2026 contest follows a historic performance one year ago, when Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung captured his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest title. McClung became the first player in NBA history to win the event three times, further raising expectations for future competitions.

With a new venue, a fresh group of participants, and heightened attention following McClung’s unprecedented three-peat, the NBA will look to continue building momentum around one of All-Star Weekend’s marquee events. The Slam Dunk Contest will be part of a packed Saturday night schedule as the league celebrates its annual midseason showcase in Los Angeles.

The post Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant among players set to participate in NBA Slam Dunk Contest appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Fox is listed on the injury report with bilateral mid thoratic soreness. San Antonio is monitoring the situation ahead of Saturday’s game.

Here’s everything we know about De’Aaron Fox’s injury status for tonight’s matchup vs. the Mavericks?

Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Fox is listed as questionable to play on the NBA injury report.

The Spurs have had a strong season and surely expect to take care of business against a struggling Mavericks team. Still, Dallas is capable of an upset with Cooper Flagg on the roster. Fox’s final injury status will play a pivotal role in determining the final outcome of the game.

When it comes to the question of if De’Aaron Fox is playing tonight, the answer is currently uncertain.

Spurs’ injury report

The Spurs have seven players listed on the injury report for Saturday’s home game against the Mavs.

• De’Aaron Fox (bilateral mid thoratic soreness): Questionable
• Luke Kornet (left adductor tightness/left ankle soreness): Questionable
• Jeremy Sochan (left quad strain): Questionable
• Harrison Ingram (G League two-way): Questionable
• Stanley Umude (G League two-way): Questionable
• Lindy Waters III (left knee hyperextension): Out
• David Jones Garcia (G League two-way): Out

Mavericks’ injury report

10 Mavericks are on the injury report for the contest.

• Marvin Bagley II (trade pending): Probable
• AJ Johnson (trade pending): Probable
• Tyus Jones (trade pending): Probable
• Brandon Williams (right lower leg contusion): Probable
• Khris Middleton (trade pending): Doubtful
• Ryan Nembhard (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Moussa Cisse (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Miles Kelly (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery): Out
• Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery): Out

The post Is De’Aaron Fox playing tonight? Spurs vs. Mavericks injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.