NBA Notes: Spurs, Stephon Castle, Knicks, Mike Brown, Wizards

Spurs

Stephon Castle looked every bit the part of a rising star in the Spurs’ Game 3 victory over the Knicks.

After struggling in Game 2, the second-year guard responded with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, knocking down a huge late 3-pointer before calmly sinking two free throws in the closing seconds to help seal a 115-111 victory.

Victor Wembanyama wasn’t surprised.

“He might be the most mature player on our team,” Wembanyama said, via Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.

Castle’s poise has earned the trust of everyone in San Antonio, including veteran guard De’Aaron Fox. With the Spurs protecting a two-point lead in the final seconds, Fox quickly tossed the ball back to Castle rather than keep it himself, allowing the young guard to step to the line and ice the game.

“His game is definitely mature beyond his years,” Fox said. “He was big for us.”

Fox struggled from the field again, finishing 4-for-14, but delivered a clutch jumper with 12 seconds remaining to give the Spurs breathing room.

Knicks

The Knicks weren’t happy with the officiating in Game 3.

Coach Mike Brown repeatedly pointed to the free-throw disparity after New York’s 115-111 loss, noting that San Antonio attempted 24 free throws in the second half compared to just eight for the Knicks.

“I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight,” Brown said.

His players, however, focused elsewhere.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns both pointed to turnovers as the bigger issue after New York committed 13 miscues that led to 21 Spurs points.

“That didn’t cost us the game,” Towns said of the officiating. “Turned the ball over. Didn’t execute.”

Wizards

The Wizards enter the offseason in a much different position than many expected.

After acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis during the season, Washington no longer projects as a cap-space team and instead appears focused on building around a veteran core and the No. 1 overall pick.

According to cap analyst Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron, the Wizards currently project to sit roughly $11 million below the luxury tax line, though that figure could change depending on Young’s contract situation this summer.

Washington is widely expected to use the top pick on BYU star AJ Dybantsa, giving the franchise another potential cornerstone as it attempts to accelerate its climb up the Eastern Conference standings.