SAN ANTONIO – Stephon Castle delivered a career performance on Saturday, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 138-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks with a historic 40-point triple-double. The second-year guard’s performance marks a significant moment for the surging Spurs, who have now won four consecutive games and sit second in the Western Conference with a record of 36-16.
Castle finished the game with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to achieve a 40-12-12 game, according to ESPN Research. He surpassed the previous record held by Oscar Robertson. The 21-year-old’s standout display included a remarkable shooting percentage of 78.9% from the field, making him only the second player ever to record a 40-point triple-double with at least 75% shooting accuracy – a feat previously accomplished only by Wilt Chamberlain on three occasions.
“Best game of his career so far,” said Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ highly touted rookie, acknowledging Castle’s dominance. “It’s one of the best stat lines I’ve seen with my own eyes.” Wembanyama contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds to the Spurs’ win.
The Spurs’ offensive explosion saw them establish a season-high score of 81 points in the first half, setting the tone for their comfortable victory. Devin Vassell added 17 points to the team’s total. The Mavericks, who lost to the Spurs 135-123 on Thursday, were led by Klay Thompson with 19 points, followed by Brandon Williams with 18 and Max Christie with 17. Cooper Flagg added 14 points for Dallas.
Castle’s achievement places him in exclusive company within the Spurs franchise. He joins David Robinson as the only players in Spurs history to record a 40-point triple-double. Castle’s first career triple-double came on November 12, 2025, against the Golden State Warriors, though that performance – 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists – resulted in a loss for San Antonio.
The efficiency of Castle’s performance is particularly noteworthy. He achieved his 40-point triple-double in just 31 minutes and 51 seconds of playing time, the second-fewest minutes required for such a feat since 1970-71, when minutes played began to be officially tracked. James Harden holds the record for the fewest minutes played in a 40-point triple-double, at 29 minutes and 34 seconds.
Saturday’s game also marked the debut of several players for the Mavericks. Marvin Bagley III, A.J. Johnson, and Tyus Jones all made their first appearances for Dallas, having recently been acquired in trades. Bagley and Johnson arrived as part of a deal that sent Anthony Davis to Washington, while Jones was traded from Charlotte for Malaki Branham. Bagley made an immediate impact, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in his debut, including two dunks and blocking shots by Vassell and Harrison Barnes.
The Spurs’ victory comes as they prepare for their annual Rodeo Road Trip, a stretch of games played away from their home arena at Frost Bank Center. During this period, the team will play two home games in Austin. The Mavericks will travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Tuesday night. The Spurs will be on the road to face the Los Angeles Lakers on the same night.
The win for San Antonio underscores their growing strength in the Western Conference. Their consistent performance, coupled with the emergence of young stars like Castle and Wembanyama, positions them as a serious contender as the regular season progresses. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will look to rebound from back-to-back losses against the Spurs and address the integration of their newly acquired players.
