By Tom Orsborn, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-12-11 01:00:52
2025年12月10日，星期三，在洛杉矶举行的一场NBA杯篮球赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）在洛杉矶湖人队前锋八村垒（28号）的防守下出手投篮。(美联社照片/Jae C. Hong 摄)
洛杉矶电 — 马刺队终于在一支由卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 率领的球队面前占了上风，并在此过程中首次获得了在拉斯维加斯举行的NBA杯半决赛席位。
而他们做到这一切，还是在全明星中锋维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 缺阵的情况下。
在周三的NBA杯四分之一决赛中，斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 贡献了赛季新高的30分，并追平赛季最高的10个篮板，德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 得到20分，帮助马刺以132-119击败湖人。
湖人队在比赛末段发起反扑，一度将24分的分差缩小到仅有8分。但马刺顶住了压力，当卡斯尔在比赛还剩1分41秒时命中一记三分球，帮助球队取得130-116的领先后，他们终于松了一口气。
这记远投也让湖人队的球迷们开始提前退场。
马刺队的球员和主教练米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 将因晋级拉斯维加斯而各获得106,187美元的奖金。助理教练的奖金份额较少，双向合同球员则将获得该数额的50%。
他们晋级四分之一决赛的个人奖金为53,093美元。
马刺队（17胜7负）在文班亚马缺阵期间的战绩提升至9胜3负，自11月14日以来，他一直因小腿受伤而休战。当这位21岁的法国球星缺阵时，球队的战绩为8胜4负。
当赛后被问及文班亚马是否可能在周六马刺对阵俄克拉荷马雷霆队的比赛中复出时，约翰逊教练回答说“很有可能”。
半场以70-58领先的马刺，在第三节打出了一波10-2的开局，其中卡斯尔独得7分，而德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell) 则在下半场开始时连续命中两记三分球。
在本场比赛之前，马刺队对阵东契奇的战绩为5胜19负，包括在最近14次与这位斯洛文尼亚后卫的交锋中全部失利。这是他们自2021年4月11日以来首次战胜他。
由卡斯尔主防的东契奇全场24投11中，为湖人队贡献了35分。伤愈复出的马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart) 替补登场得到26分，勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 则得到19分。
以下是马刺队在NBA杯淘汰赛阶段取得首场胜利后的三大看点：
1. 凯尔登·约翰逊的开场爆发奠定基调
凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson) 在赛前谈到，他希望用NBA杯的奖金来为他在伯尼（Boerne）的庄园增添更多的动物收藏。比赛开始后，他的表现就像是已经为一群长角牛付了首付一样。
这位“大块头”前锋在第一节就奠定了基调，他6投5中，三分球3投3中，砍下13分，帮助马刺以39-30的领先优势进入第二节。直到第三节还剩大约三分钟时，他才通过两次罚球再次得分，但他早期的出色表现为马刺队奠定了基石。
现在，他可以将晋级半决赛的丰厚奖金与四分之一决赛的奖金加在一起，甚至可以买一只美洲驼——他曾提到过的另一种可能购买的动物。
2. 马刺在所有关键时刻都保持了镇定
马刺队保持了冷静，并持续施压——即使是在他们最头疼的第三节。
他们能够顶住压力的第一个迹象出现在第二节末段。当时，詹姆斯仿佛让时光倒流，上演了一记雷霆万钧的突破隔扣科内特，将湖人队的分差缩小到8分，并点燃了全场观众。紧接着，他在防守端送出了一记盖帽，让球迷们彻底沸腾。但马刺队保持了冷静，在福克斯用一记篮下得分还以颜色，巴恩斯也完成一次扣篮后，他们带着12分的领先优势进入了中场休息。
接着是第三节。在上周输给克利夫兰的比赛中，马刺在第三节以19-44被对手碾压；在周一战胜新奥尔良的比赛中，他们也在第三节以23-45落后。但这一次，他们以34-29赢下了第三节。他们在这一节开始时由卡斯尔和瓦塞尔连续命中三分，并在随后的时间里持续向对手施压。
在马刺以132-119击败湖人赢得NBA杯四分之一决赛后，后卫迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 探讨了在关键时刻对阵勒布朗·詹姆斯和卢卡·东契奇等球员是何种体验。pic.twitter.com/PdU80X37YL
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) December 11, 2025
最后，他们顶住了湖人队在比赛末段的反扑。
对于一支年轻球队来说，在一场关键的客场比赛中，面对由史上最伟大球员（或许没有之一）詹姆斯和另一位超级巨星东契奇领衔的队伍，这无疑是一场令人印象深刻的胜利。
3. NBA弃用湖人队NBA杯球场的明智之举
在包括东契奇在内的球员对Crypto.com球馆在小组赛阶段使用的亮黄色NBA杯备用场地表面湿滑表示担忧后，NBA决定允许湖人队在本场比赛中使用他们的标准场地。
在11月下旬战胜快船队后，东契奇称该场地“很危险”，并补充说他“滑倒了好几次”，也看到其他人同样如此。
“伙计，那太危险了，”东契奇告诉记者。
据ESPN报道，NBA“出于极度谨慎的考虑”做出了这一决定。
考虑到联盟中伤病频发，包括马刺队自身也遭遇了多起伤病，联盟将球员安全放在首位的做法是明智的。
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) and guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) goes after a loose ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) goes up for a basket under pressure by San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) celebrates his three-point basket during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama watches action during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) grabs a loose ball under pressure by Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) goes up for a basket during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts to a foul call during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) puts up a shot under pressure by Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after making a dunk during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) react to a dunk by James during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts to a foul call on him during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) fights for a loose ball with San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) goes up for a basket against San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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。
点击查看原文：Stephon Castle scores 30 as Spurs beat Lakers in NBA Cup quarters
Stephon Castle scores 30 as Spurs beat Lakers in NBA Cup quarters
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) puts up a shot under defense by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES — The Spurs finally gained the upper hand against a Luka Doncic-led team, and they gained their first berth in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas in the process.
And they did it all without All-Star center Victor Wembanyama.
Stephon Castle pumped in a season-high 30 points and matched a season high with 10 rebounds, and De’Aaron Fox added 20 points as the Spurs beat the Lakers 132-119 on Wednesday in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The Lakers mounted a late rally, cutting a 24-point deficit to just eight. But the Spurs withstood it and breathed a sigh of relief after Castle sank a 3-pointer with 1:41 left to give them a 130-116 advantage.
That deep ball also sent Lakers fans trudging toward the exits.
The Spurs players and head coach Mitch Johnson will receive $106,187 each for reaching Las Vegas. The assistants get a smaller portion and two-way players will get 50% of that amount.
Their individual payout for reaching the quarterfinals was $53,093.
The Spurs (17-7) improved to 9-3 without Wembanyama, who has been sidelined by a calf injury since Nov. 14. They were 8-4 at the time the 21-year-old Frenchman was sidelined.
Johnson said “very much so” after the game when asked if Wembanyama could be available when the Spurs face the Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Leading 70-58 at halftime, the Spurs opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run fueled by seven points from Castle, and Devin Vassell began the second half by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.
The Spurs entered the game with a 5-19 record against Doncic, including losses in their last 14 meetings against the Slovenian guard. It was their first victory against him since April 11, 2021.
Doncic, who was defended by Castle, led the Lakers with 35 points on 11-of-24 shooting from the floor. Marcus Smart had 26 points off the bench after returning from injury and LeBron James finished with 19.
Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ first victory in the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup:
1. Keldon Johnson’s early spark set tone
Keldon Johnson spoke before the game about his desire to use his NBA Cup windfall to add to his growing collection of animals on his spread in Boerne, and then came out in the first half like a man who had already made a down payment on a herd of longhorns.
The “Big Body” forward set the tone with 13 first quarter points on 5 of 6 from the field and a perfect 3 of 3 from deep, helping the Spurs carry a 39-30 lead into the second period. He didn’t score again until he hit a pair of free throws with about third minutes left in the third period, but his early work set the tone for the Spurs.
Now, he can add that big Cup semifinals payout to his quarterfinals cash and even buy a llama, something else he mentioned he might purchase.
2. Spurs maintained composure at all the right times
The Spurs kept their cool and kept up the pressure — even in the dreaded third quarter.
Their first sign of being able to withstand the heat came late in the second quarter when James turned back the clock for a thundering, driving slam over Kornet that pulled the Lakers within eight points and ignited the crowd. He followed that vintage gem with a block on the other end that had the fans howling. But the Spurs stayed calm and went into the break with a 12-point cushion after Fox answered with an inside bucket and Barnes recorded a slam.
Then came the third. After being outscored 44-19 in a loss at Cleveland last week and 45-23 in a win at New Orleans on Monday, the Spurs won the third this time by a 34-29 count. They opened the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers from Castle and Vassell and kept throwing punches the rest of the way.
Following the Spurs’ 132-119 win over the Lakers in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, guard Dylan Harper discusses what it was like going up against the likes of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in a big moment. pic.twitter.com/PdU80X37YL
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) December 11, 2025
Finally, they withstood the Lakers’ late run.
It was an impressive showing by a young team on the road in a high-stakes game against a squad led by arguably the greatest player ever in James and another superstar in Doncic.
3. NBA smart to ditch Lakers’ NBA Cup court
The NBA decided to allow the Lakers to use their standard court for the game after players, including Doncic, expressed concern about the slippery surface of the alternate bright yellow NBA Cup court used during the group stage at Crypto.com Arena.
Doncic called the court “dangerous” after a win over the Clippers in late November, adding he “slipped a lot of times” and witnessed others doing the same.
“And that’s dangerous, man,” Doncic told reporters.
The NBA made the decision “out of an abundance of caution,” ESPN reported.
Given all the injuries around the league, including several sustained by the Spurs, it was a smart move by the league to put player safety first.
By Tom Orsborn, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News