Castle leads the Spurs at the Lakers’ home to secure the pass to Las Vegas where the Texans will face the battleship OKC
NBA CUP QF
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 138-89
OKC: Dort 12, Williams 15, Holgren 24, Gilgelous-Alexander 28, Carlson 11, Dieng 11
PHX: Brooks 16, Allen 10, Goodwin 15, Bouyea 14
There is no game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City with the Thunder sweeping away the Suns, scoring their 16th consecutive win and flying to Las Vegas for the semi-finals of the NBA Cup. The match is already on ice at long break with the reigning champions ahead 74-48 with Shai at 17 points all with OKC shooting 60% from the field (13/19 from 3!) against his 39% (18/4 from the field) opponents. With this victory the Thunder go up 24-1, equalizing the historic start of the 2015-16 Warriors.
Los Angeles Lakers – San Antonio Spurs 112-132
LAL: James 19 (15 rimb), Ayton 11, Reaves 15, Doncic 35, Smart 26
SAS: Barnes 16, Kornet 10, Castle 30 (10 rimb), Fox 20, Harper 13, Johnson 17, Champagnie 16
In Las Vegas the Thunder will face the San Antonio Spurs who, without Wembanyama, win in Los Angeles against the Lakers thanks to 30 points from Stephon Castle. Doncic’s 35 points were not enough for the yellow and purple. The Texans immediately dominated the game ahead 70-58 after the first 24′ (partial of 17-2 in the first minutes of the 2nd period to reach +18!) with Doncic alone keeping alive his 24 points in the first half). In the second half Castle takes the lead: the black and silver sophomore scores 21 of his final 30 points, 12 of which in the 4th period to extinguish any hope for the Lakers.
