By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-01-15 23:46:21
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
1月15日星期三，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5号）在上半场防守孟菲斯灰熊队后卫德斯蒙德·贝恩(Desmond Bane)（22号）。
周三上半场结束时，孟菲斯新秀扎克·埃迪(Zach Edey)与马刺队的维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)对峙，弗罗斯特银行中心的气氛凝固了。
这是一场巨人之间的对决，一群“大卫”在一旁观望。
当身高7尺3寸的文班亚马在上半场结束哨响之际，以一记强有力的盖帽拒绝了7尺4寸的埃迪的扣篮尝试，将比赛带入中场休息时，马刺队的球员们欢呼雀跃，仿佛他们刚刚屠杀了一个巨人。
在那一刻，他们的确做到了。
“肯定说了几句狠话，”马刺后卫德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)说道。“他们在喷垃圾话，我们也在喷。”
最终，顽强的灰熊队笑到了最后，他们在第四节将半场12分的落后转化为129-115的大胜。
贾·莫兰特(Ja Morant)得到21分和12次助攻，德斯蒙德·贝恩(Desmond Bane)拿下21分，替补出场的桑蒂·阿尔达玛(Santi Aldama)贡献20分，帮助孟菲斯队逆转取胜。
灰熊队在第三节扭转了比赛的局势，他们在该节以43-25净胜马刺队18分。比赛还剩5分20秒时，马刺队将比分追至109-108，仅落后1分，但灰熊队随后打出一波20-7的攻击波，结束了比赛。
“下半场，感觉我们有点陷入了他们的比赛节奏，他们找到了感觉，而我们在苦苦追赶，”马刺代理教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)说道。“当一支节奏如此之快的球队开始投篮命中时，比赛就很难打了。”
比赛还剩4分03秒时，阿尔达玛接球上篮得分，并造成马刺队的克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)犯规，这可能是压垮马刺队的最后一根稻草。阿尔达玛加罚不中，但孟菲斯队抢下篮板，莫兰特命中三分。
这次五分球的进攻让灰熊队领先了10分。
新秀后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔以26分领衔马刺队，这是他在NBA比赛中的最高得分。瓦塞尔为马刺队贡献了21分。
文班亚马在进攻端表现挣扎，只得到13分，但他贡献了12个篮板和8次盖帽，所有盖帽都出现在上半场。
马刺队将在周五再次对阵灰熊队，这场在弗罗斯特银行中心的比赛将在全国范围内进行电视转播。
“我很期待接受挑战，”瓦塞尔说道。“他们是一支优秀的球队。应该给予他们应有的赞扬。但我认为我们下次会做出回应。”
以下是周三失利的三点总结，这场失利使马刺队的战绩跌至19胜20负：
- 文班在进攻端表现不佳
文班亚马在防守端表现出色，在上半场几乎瓦解了灰熊队的所有进攻尝试。
灰熊队的球员在下半场学聪明了，他们拒绝在文班面前发起太多挑战（除了无所畏惧的杰克逊）。
然而，文班亚马的进攻却从未找到感觉。
1月15日星期三，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）在对阵孟菲斯灰熊队的上半场比赛中，对马刺队的一次失误做出反应。马刺队以115-129输给了灰熊队。
他19投5中的表现，是他自上赛季11月14日输给俄克拉荷马城雷霆队（15投4中）以来，在至少出手10次的比赛中最差的投篮命中率。
“了解文班，我知道这场比赛在他心里已经结束了，”卡斯尔说道。“他现在正专注于周五的比赛。”
这与对位埃迪的关系不大，后者上场时间不到17分钟，而且并非一直防守文班亚马。
作为一个团队，经验丰富的灰熊队对文班亚马严防死守，确保他无法找到舒适区。
文班亚马依靠最后时刻的两个三分球才勉强得分上双。
“我很期待看到文班如何从这场比赛中反弹，”瓦塞尔说道。“我觉得每次他感觉自己没有发挥出最佳水平时，他总是会在下一场比赛中爆发。”
- 马刺队需要一个肯纳德
孟菲斯替补后卫卢克·肯纳德(Luke Kennard)每场比赛都只有一个主要任务：看到三分球，投进三分球。
他在周三做得很好，9投5中——所有出手都来自三分线外。
肯纳德是灰熊队第三节逆转的关键，他在该节命中了全部三个三分球。这帮助孟菲斯队将半场12分的落后转化为进入第四节时的6分领先。
这一切的重点是什么？随着马刺队继续围绕文班亚马打造阵容，他们真的需要一个肯纳德这样的球员。
马刺队阵中并没有太多稳定的三分射手。哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)是唯一一个三分命中率超过40%的常规轮换球员。
28岁的肯纳德在周三比赛前的三分命中率为45.7%。或许，这应该提醒马刺队，不应该让他如此轻松地出手。
肯纳德将在赛季结束后成为自由球员。他正是马刺队需要的那种能够为文班亚马拉开空间的角色球员。
如果他们无法得到肯纳德——灰熊队肯定会积极续约他——马刺队至少应该寻找一个肯纳德类型的球员。
- 卡斯尔再次在首发位置上闪耀
由于杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)因下背部受伤再次缺阵，卡斯尔再次获得了首发机会。
尽管他的比赛效率不如周一在洛杉矶的比赛，但卡斯尔在对阵灰熊队的比赛中仍然表现出色。
他在第四节初段表现尤为出色，他得到了马刺队前12分中的9分，暂时阻止了比赛的崩盘。
好样的新秀
pic.twitter.com/qOX5oNIDHJ
— 圣安东尼奥马刺队 (@spurs) 2025年1月16日
这是卡斯尔连续第二场得分超过20分的比赛，他在两天前战胜湖人队的比赛中得到了23分。
“这真的只是机会的问题，能够在那些时刻挺身而出，”卡斯尔说道。“但我的意思是，即使是从替补席上出场，你也必须时刻做好准备。我觉得从替补席上出场绝对是一项技能。”
卡斯尔21投9中，表面上看并不出色。他的投篮数据被他三分球9投2中的表现拉低了，这仍然是他需要改进的地方。
这位备受瞩目的新秀已经证明了自己有能力胜任首发角色，在周三比赛前的20场首发中，他场均得到14.3分。只要索汉继续缺阵，他肯定会继续留在首发阵容中。
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) guards Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) makes a shot around San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks over guard Desmond Bane (22) and center Jay Huff (30) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) dunks on the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) dunks over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot from Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) receives a high-five from San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson looks at his notes during a timeout in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) goes up for a shot around San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Keldon Johnson (0) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) signals a travel call on the Memphis Grizzlies while watching the game from the bench in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) at the net in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) dunks over Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) passes the ball out after getting blocked by Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) at the net in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) fight for a jump ball in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) goes up for a shot between San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) and center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) cheers on guard Stephon Castle (5) after Castle drew a Memphis Grizzlies foul in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) receives praise from his teammates including forward Keldon Johnson (0) after Castle drew a Memphis Grizzlies foul in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots a three-pointer in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) lays the ball into the net around Memphis Grizzlies center Jay Huff (30) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot from Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks on the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks on San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The baskett did not count due to a foul call being called on the Spurs prior to Morant’s shot. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) makes a pass in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces head coach and former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, talks with Tony Parker, a former Spurs player, as they watch the Spurs take on the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces head coach and former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, center left, and Tony Parker, a former Spurs player, center right, talk with Spurs fans as they prepare to watch the Spurs take on the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
The National Anthem is played before the San Antonio Spurs game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) receives high-fives from center Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard Devin Vassell (24) as the starting line up is announced in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
点击查看原文：3 takeaways as Spurs falter late against Memphis Grizzlies
3 takeaways as Spurs falter late against Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) guards Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Memphis rookie Zach Edey sized up the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at the end of the first half Wednesday, and the Frost Bank Center held its breath.
This was a battle of Goliath vs. Goliath, with a gaggle of Davids looking on.
When the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama sent the game into intermission with an emphatic block against the 7-4 Edey, thwarting a dunk attempt at the rim and at the horn, Spurs players celebrated as if they had slayed a giant.
Which, for the moment, they had.
“Definitely had some choice words,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. “They’re chirping and we’re chirping.”
In the end, the rugged Grizzlies got the final say, transforming a 12-point halftime deficit into a 129-115 victory going away in the fourth quarter.
Ja Morant had 21 points and 12 assists, Desmond Bane added another 21 points and Santi Aldama threw in 20 off the bench to power Memphis’ comeback victory.
The Grizzlies turned the game around with a third quarter in which they outscored the Spurs by 18 points, 43-25. The Spurs were within one point at 109-108 with 5:20 remaining before the Grizzlies closed the game on a 20-7 run.
“The second half, it felt like we got into their style of play a little bit and they got into a rhythm and we were playing catch-up,” Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s tough when a team that plays that fast starts making shots.”
The final nail likely came with 4:03 to play, when Aldama scored on a lob and was fouled by the Spurs’ Chris Paul. Aldama missed the ensuing foul shot, but Memphis hustled down the rebound leading to a Morant 3-pointer.
That five-point possession pushed the Grizzlies ahead by 10.
Rookie guard Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 26 points, the most he has scored in an NBA game. Vassell added 21 for the Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama struggled to get going offensively on his way to 13 points, but did contribute 12 rebounds and eight blocks, with all of those rejections coming in the first half.
For their trouble, the Spurs get to face the Grizzlies again on Friday with a nationally televised rematch at the Frost Bank Center.
“I’m excited to take the challenge on,” Vassell said. “They’re a good team. Give credit where credit’s due. But I think that we’ll have to answer next time.”
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s defeat, which nudged the Spurs back under .500 to 19-20:
1. Wemby had a rough go on offense
Wembanyama was a certified beast on the defensive end, thwarting just about everything the Grizzlies tried in the first half.
Memphis players got wise in the second half, refusing to challenge the Spurs center much at all (except for Jackson, who was fearless).
Wembanyama’s offense never got cooking, however.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after a San Antonio Spurs turnover in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Grizzles, 129-115.
His 5-of-19 showing marked his worst shooting percentage in a game featuring at least 10 attempts since Nov. 14 of last season, when he went 4-of-15 in a loss to Oklahoma City.
“Just knowing Vic, I know this game’s already over in his mind,” Castle said. “He’s focused on Friday right now.”
It didn’t have much to do with the matchup against Edey, who played less than 17 minutes and did not guard Wembanyama full time.
As a team, the grizzled Grizzlies loaded up on Wembanyama to make sure he could not find a comfort zone.
It took a couple of late 3-pointers to push Wembanyama into double figures.
“I’m excited to see how Vic bounces back from this game,” Vassell said. “I feel like every single time he has a game where he feels like he doesn’t play his best, he always comes out and has one of those games.”
2. The Spurs could use a Kennard
Memphis backup guard Luke Kennard enters each game with one main job: See 3-pointer, make 3-pointer.
He did it well Wednesday, going 5 of 9 from the field — with all his attempts coming from the 3-point stripe.
Kennard was part of a third-quarter turnaround for the Grizzlies, when he hit all three of his 3-point tries in the frame. It helped Memphis transform a 12-point halftime deficit into a six-point lead entering the fourth.
The point of all this? As the Spurs continue to build out their roster around Wembanyama, they really could use a Kennard.
The Spurs don’t have an overabundance of dead-eyed 3-point shooters on the roster. Harrison Barnes is the only rotation regular hitting over 40%.
The 28-year-old Kennard came into Wednesday making 45.7% from beyond the arc. Probably, that should have clued the Spurs into the fact that he should not be left so wide open.
Kennard will be a free agent after the season. He is exactly the type of role player the Spurs need to space around Wembanyama.
If they can’t land Kennard — and the Grizzlies will certainly be motivated to re-sign him — the Spurs should look to at least add a Kennard type.
3. Castle again shines as a starter
With Jeremy Sochan again out with a lower back injury, Castle got the starting nod again.
Though his game wasn’t as efficient as it was Monday in Los Angeles, Castle still performed well against the Grizzlies.
He was particularly effective during the early stages of the fourth quarter, when he scored nine of the Spurs’ first 12 points to momentarily keep the game from capsizing.
OKAY ROOK
— San Antonio Spurs (@ spurs) January 16, 2025
It was Castle’s second consecutive 20-point outing, after posting 23 in a win over the Lakers two nights earlier.
It really just comes down to opportunities, being able to step up in those moments,” Castle said. “But I mean coming off the bench you have to stay ready as well. I feel like coming off the bench, I mean it is definitely a skill to have.”
Castle finished 9 of 21 from the field, which on the surface wasn’t great. His shooting numbers were pulled down by a 2-of-9 performance from 3-point range, which is a continued area of needed improvement for him.
The prized rookie has proven himself capable in a starting role, averaging 14.3 points in 20 starts heading into Wednesday. He will certainly remain in that spot for as long as Sochan remains shelved.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News