Stephon Castle stepped back into the lineup against New Orleans with a balanced line, contributing in scoring, playmaking and on the glass while the Spurs edged the Pelicans in a 135 to 132 shootout.

His drives forced the defense to collapse and opened space for wings and bigs, helping San Antonio keep its offense organized in a game that swung wildly in the second half.​

The burst that defined Castle’s Rookie of the Year campaign was still there, most notably on a powerful dunk that punctuated his return and signaled confidence in the hip. For a player coming off a soft tissue issue, the ability to attack downhill, take contact and finish above the rim was as important as any number on the stat sheet.​

Fitting Back Into A Changing Spurs Backcourt

San Antonio went 7–3 during Castle’s absence, with De’Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper shouldering most of the on-ball creation and keeping the team near the top of the West and firmly in NBA Cup contention.

That stretch sharpened Harper’s decision-making and gave Fox extended control late in games, so Castle’s task on night one was to blend those gains with his own strengths rather than reclaim every possession.

He mostly threaded that needle, toggling between primary initiator and secondary connector depending on lineups. When he shared the floor with Fox, Castle worked more off the catch, cutting and attacking tilted defenses. When staggered with the bench, he slid back into a full-time table setter, exactly the versatility Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has praised since his UConn days.

What His Return Means With Wembanyama Still Out

Victor Wembanyama remains sidelined with a calf strain, leaving San Antonio to lean on guard play and depth to survive a difficult portion of the schedule. Castle’s return gives the Spurs another organizer in crunch time and should reduce the burden on Fox to both score and initiate every late-game trip.

The bigger picture is encouraging for San Antonio. A 16–7 start and advancement from West Group C in the NBA Cup have come largely without uninterrupted time from their intended core, and Castle’s smooth re-entry suggests there is significant offensive upside once Wembanyama is cleared.

If his hip holds up and the downhill pressure he provided in New Orleans becomes the norm again, the Spurs will have three guards capable of driving winning lineups long before their franchise center returns to full strength.