Spurs Guard Stephon Castle Suffers Hip Flexor Strain
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle is expected to be sidelined for at least the next few weeks after sustaining a left hip flexor strain, the team announced Monday. The injury occurred during Sunday’s 123-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings, forcing Castle to exit the game in the first half.
An MRI revealed the extent of the injury, and Castle will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks, according to sources. He finished the game against the Kings with four points in 15 minutes and 34 seconds of play.
The injury adds to the Spurs’ growing list of sidelined players, notably Victor Wembanyama, who is also recovering from a strained left calf. Wembanyama is expected to miss a minimum of two to three weeks as well. The team is operating cautiously with both young stars, prioritizing their long-term health over immediate returns.
“We don’t sit our guys when they can play and we’re never going to risk or rush somebody back,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Tuesday. “That’s why we’re always operating how we’re operating. Hopefully we’ll get these guys back soon.”
Castle, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds this season, has quickly become a key component of the Spurs’ offense. His absence will be felt, particularly as the team navigates a challenging stretch of games.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for San Antonio, which had been playing well recently, posting a 9-4 record, including a franchise-best 5-0 start. The Spurs are now without two of their most dynamic players – Castle and Wembanyama – both former Rookie of the Year winners.
Johnson acknowledged the difficulty of predicting recovery timelines for muscle injuries. “When you’re talking about muscles and soft tissue, which I know nothing about, you have to work and then see how your body responds, and then work a little bit more and see how your body responds,” he explained.
Castle was previously listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to left adductor tightness, an injury sustained during the Spurs’ 112-103 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. However, the hip flexor strain is a separate issue and appears more significant.
The Thunder and Spurs are set to face off for the final time in the regular season on Wednesday. The Thunder previously avenged earlier losses to the Spurs with a 119-98 win in January. The Spurs have lost four of their last ten games, while the Thunder are also experiencing a similar stretch of inconsistency.
Despite the injuries, the Spurs remain competitive, with Castle contributing significantly to their success, scoring 16.6 points on 45.1% shooting, along with 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. His absence will undoubtedly test the depth of the Spurs’ roster.
Veteran guard Jordan McLaughlin is also currently sidelined with a right hamstring strain, further compounding the Spurs’ injury woes.
