{"id":668511,"date":"2026-05-27T18:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T18:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/668511\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T18:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T18:00:08","slug":"we-dont-get-that-same-luxury-stephon-castle-sounds-off-on-refs-for-not-letting-the-sa-spurs-play-with-the-same-physicality-as-the-okc-thunder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/668511\/","title":{"rendered":"“We don’t get that same luxury” – Stephon Castle sounds off on refs for not letting the SA Spurs play with the same physicality as the OKC Thunder"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the\u00a0San Antonio Spurs<\/a>\u00a0cruised to a 21-point victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, many expected them to carry that momentum into Game 5 in Oklahoma City<\/a> and perhaps seize control again.<\/p>\n

Instead, they delivered one of the most disappointing performances of this series, losing the contest 127-114 \u2014 a scenario in which the Spurs were outscored in three of the four quarters. In the only quarter they outperformed OKC, it was by just one point.<\/p>\n

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At the center of this discussion afterward was\u00a0Stephon Castle<\/a>, who acknowledged the disadvantage the Spurs are facing in this series. Even though the sophomore guard led San Antonio<\/a> with 24 points, six assists, and three steals, he believes the refs do not allow them to play at the same physical level as the defending champions.<\/p>\n

“The way they guard, how physical they are, we don’t get that same luxury to be able to play as physical on the other end at times,”\u00a0Castle\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0in his post-game interview. “But offensively, we do a good job of screening and playing through it.”<\/p>\n

Castle found himself in foul trouble<\/p>\n

It has become increasingly evident throughout the series that whenever Victor Wembanyama<\/a> is off the floor, the Thunder play with far more aggression. In those stretches, it becomes vital for players like Castle, Devin Vassell<\/a> and Keldon Johnson<\/a> to be at their defensive best. Unfortunately for the Spurs, that expectation was not met in Game 5 on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

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In a game in which OKC led by as many as 20 points in the second half, Castle’s minutes were limited to 33 because he had already registered five fouls. The same was the case with 2026 Sixth Man of the Year, Keldon, whose minutes were restricted to 20 off the bench.<\/p>\n

Still, foul trouble was only one part of a huge issue. A bigger issue was the Spurs’ inability to match the defending champs’ efficiency.<\/p>\n

On one hand, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> & Co. shot 44 percent from the three-point line and 48 percent from the field, coach Mitch Johnson’s team shot 29 percent from beyond the arc and 40 percent from the field.<\/p>\n

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And that disparity in shot making proved to be the ultimate difference maker \u2014 a fact that Castle also admitted.<\/p>\n

“I think we created a lot of chances, but we missed a lot of open shots,”\u00a0Stephon added.<\/p>\n

Related: “He has gone to every length imaginable to avoid taking responsibility for his actions” – How the judge reacted to Paul George dodging his paternity suit<\/a><\/p>\n

No more redos for the Spurs<\/p>\n

Once leading this Conference Finals, the Spurs now find themselves in a precarious position. One more defeat over the next two games, and that will bring an end to a campaign that had otherwise exceeded expectations.<\/p>\n

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What makes this situation even more frustrating is that this is a Thunder team that not only did the Spurs beat in four of the five games during the regular season, but in Game 5 were without Ajay Mitchell<\/a> and Jalen Williams<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Game 6 now becomes the biggest game of the Spurs ‘ season. And while Castle would have to play with the ferocity as he did on the offensive end in this game, he will need to uplift his defensive tenacity.<\/p>\n

Related: “Very high highs and very low lows” – Gilbert Arenas criticizes Victor Wembanyama’s consistency vs. Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n

This story was originally published by Basketball Network<\/a> on May 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News<\/a> section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n