Why Stephon Castle had a new role on the bench against the Mavericks

For the first time this season, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Castle came from the bench. The game at the Dallas Mavericks was the second consecutive game for the silver and black, and the reigning Rookie of the Year is listed as questionable for their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before. As obvious as it may seem to some, Mitch Johnson left little doubt why Castle didn’t start in the 135-123 win in Dallas.

“Once we’re healthy and everybody gets their minutes, Steph will be the starter,” Johnson said.

The Spurs head coach initially responded to a question about Kasl’s usage against the Mavs by confirming that his young star is on a minutes restriction.

“Yeah, we had a couple of guys just trying to get minutes, him and Dylan (Harper) being two of them,” Johnson said. “So it was just about trying to maximize to let the guys have a natural flow of their minutes and make sure that Steph is available to them.”

After 135-123 W in Dallas, Mitch Johnson left no stone unturned on Stephon Castle’s place going forward

“When we’re healthy and everyone gets their minutes, Steph will be the starter.”
– that @JMcDonald_SAEN after Johnson said he wanted to use Castle’s minutes#PorVida#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/BkPTlhPuV2

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 6, 2026

Johnson used the same strategy when the team generational great man, Victor Vembanyamahe came back from injury. The 7-foot-5 center famously came off the bench in a mid-December win against the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals. A few weeks later, after returning from a hyper-extended knee, Wemby again served as a backup. In both cases, as well as in other games in which he did not start because he was returning, the Spurs’ leading scorer was on the floor during the crucial minutes of the fourth quarter.

“When I think about the reaction, my reaction is that it was a little thing. I mean, it wasn’t a lineup thing,” Vembanyama said of Castle.

Although it is compete against their in-state rivals he didn’t let it down, he was competitive in the fourth period.

“I think it was to maximize the minutes, just like when I was coming off the bench,” Wemby continued. “And I don’t think there’s a better way to impact the game in just 21 minutes. He’s plus-seven, 20 plus/minus. So what (more) can we ask for?”

Mitch Johnson praises Stephon Castle’s efforts against the Mavericks

Despite playing just 22 minutes, Castle filled the stat sheet, scoring 18 points, dishing out six assists, three steals and seven boards.

“Steph and KJ (Keldon Johnson) and Dylan, all five, six and seven,” Johnson said of his wing jump.

The Rising star for the second year in a row stands 6-foot-6. His jumping ability is on display from entering the NBA in the fall of 2024.

“Even when we have those big ones, we know they’re fighting other big ones. So gang recovery is important.” Johnson added. “And then it also carries over into our offense, because all those guys can come off the dribble and lead the break, right off the rebounds.”

The former UConn star went 8-for-13 from the field and continued to play a key role for young Spurs team that the Big D win, their 35th of the season, surpassed last year’s win total.