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As the San Antonio Spurs‘ best perimeter defender, Stephon Castle often gets the assignment against the opposing team’s best guard.
Castle has had some difficult defensive matchups over the last two series, guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the Western Conference Finals, and now Jalen Brunson in the NBA Finals.
Brunson finished Game 1 of the championship series with 30 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks notched a 105-95 victory on the road.
After Game 1, Castle was asked about the biggest differences between defending SGA and Brunson.
“They’re very similar in some ways,” Castle said. “Shai, he’s more of a threat to get downhill, get all the way to the basket.”
“Jalen, he likes to use angles a lot more, pump fakes. Get to his spots,” Castle added. “Not really trying to draw fouls as much, trying to get to his midrange and spots where he likes.”
More Basketball:Knicks Coach Mike Brown Doesn’t Hold Back on Jalen Brunson Praise
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 25.9 points per game through seven games in the Western Conference Finals. He did all he could against the Spurs in Game 7, dropping a game-high 35 points in the closeout contest.
Brunson scored his 30 Game 1 points on 12 of 31 shooting.
“I thought we did well,” Castle said. He made some tough shots late. I feel like a lot of his buckets were loud because they were back-to-back. It hurt a little bit more. We did a pretty good job on him.”
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball between Stephon Castle #5 and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
More Basketball:Victor Wembanyama Shouts Out ‘Elite’ Jalen Brunson Amid NBA Finals
Game 2 will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
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Castle has had some difficult defensive matchups over the last two series, guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the Western Conference Finals, and now Jalen Brunson in the NBA Finals.
Brunson finished Game 1 of the championship series with 30 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks notched a 105-95 victory on the road.
After Game 1, Castle was asked about the biggest differences between defending SGA and Brunson.
“They’re very similar in some ways,” Castle said. “Shai, he’s more of a threat to get downhill, get all the way to the basket.”
“Jalen, he likes to use angles a lot more, pump fakes. Get to his spots,” Castle added. “Not really trying to draw fouls as much, trying to get to his midrange and spots where he likes.”
More Basketball:Knicks Coach Mike Brown Doesn’t Hold Back on Jalen Brunson Praise
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 25.9 points per game through seven games in the Western Conference Finals. He did all he could against the Spurs in Game 7, dropping a game-high 35 points in the closeout contest.
Brunson scored his 30 Game 1 points on 12 of 31 shooting.
“I thought we did well,” Castle said. He made some tough shots late. I feel like a lot of his buckets were loud because they were back-to-back. It hurt a little bit more. We did a pretty good job on him.”
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball between Stephon Castle #5 and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
More Basketball:Victor Wembanyama Shouts Out ‘Elite’ Jalen Brunson Amid NBA Finals
Game 2 will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Related Articles
- Jalen Brunson Praises Josh Hart's Ability to Impact a Game Without Scoring
- Victor Wembanyama Reveals What Gregg Popovich Told Him After Game 1 Loss
- Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Joins Elite Group With NBA Finals Debut
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