San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Cassel has the tough job of guarding the Los Angeles Lakers' two top leading scorers, All-Star Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Whenever the Spurs face the Lakers or Thunder, it is his responsibility to be in front of the NBA's leading scorers. Castle is one of the most promising guards in the league due to his impressive two-way play.
He fills out the stat sheet as a scorer on one end of the floor and a skilled playmaker who can defend at high level On the other. According to ESPN's NBA Today, Cassel talked about defending Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander in their respective Spurs matchups against the Lakers and Thunder.
Cassel said, "I'm very proud of it. I ask for those matchups. I wouldn't want it any other way. I think I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league." "Day by day, that's just what I'm trying to prove."
"I'm very proud of it... I ask for those matchups. I wouldn't want it any other way. I think I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league."
Stephen Cassel explains what it's like to guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic 🗣️pic.twitter.com/JgigTeCfxW
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026
Cassel played a key role in the Spurs' three consecutive wins over the Thunder over 12 days in December, including their Christmas Day showdown, which turned into a blowout victory. Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 1-of-6 from deep. In only his second season, Castle is having a breakout campaign for the Spurs.
In a 138–125 win against the Dallas Mavericks, he made NBA history by becoming the youngest NBA player to record a 40/12/12 triple-double. He finished with 40 points, 12 assists, 12 rebounds, three steals and one block.
Harrison Barnes on Spurs' Stephen Cassel All-Star consideration
While Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry has recovered from a knee injury suffered in the NBA's big weekend, Spurs veteran forward Harrison Barnes says Stephen Cassel was deserving of All-Star consideration to replace SGA. Barnes also supported the other half of the Spurs' backcourt in De'Aaron Fox as another option.
Barnes says Spurs have second-best record in Western Conference either guard must be replaced Curry.
“It would be criminal if he did that [Castle] And Fox did not notice him. We're ranked No. 2 in the West," Barnes said. "I think what we've done is, for the teams below us that had two All-Stars, I don't know of any case that if we're talking about the impact on winning and playing high-level basketball, why one of them shouldn't be selected and/or be highly considered for those spots."
Harrison Barnes advocated that at least one of his two Spurs teammates should have been named an All-Star alternative to Steph Curry:
"It would be criminal if [Stephon Castle] And [De'Aaron] Fox did not notice. ...What we have done, for the teams that are below us... pic.twitter.com/Xjf3Fk9uz0
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 February 2026
Although the NBA has announced Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram as Curry's replacement, De'Aaron Fox will replace the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo at All-Star Sunday.
