Stephon Castle Unfazed by Amen Thompson's Defensive Antics During Mid-Game Chat

The San Antonio Spurs star brushed off the Houston Rockets rookie's attempts to disrupt his conversation with the coach.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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During a recent game between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, Rockets rookie Amen Thompson tried to guard Spurs star Stephon Castle even as Castle was mid-conversation with his coach. However, Castle said the disturbance didn't matter to him, as he was simply discussing what he needed to with the coach and didn't think the Rockets would be able to stop it anyway. Despite Thompson's defensive efforts, the Spurs went on to defeat the Rockets 145-120.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the intense competitiveness and defensive focus of NBA players, with Thompson trying to disrupt Castle even during a break in play. It also shows Castle's confidence and poise, as he was able to brush off the defensive pressure and stay focused on his conversation with the coach.

The details

In the viral clip, Thompson can be seen closely guarding Castle as he spoke to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson during a free throw. However, Castle said the disturbance didn't affect him, as he was simply discussing strategy with the coach and didn't think the Rockets would be able to stop it. Despite Thompson's defensive efforts, the Spurs went on to defeat the Rockets 145-120, with Thompson and Kevin Durant leading the Rockets in scoring with 23 points each.

  • The incident occurred during the Rockets-Spurs game on March 9, 2026.

The players

Stephon Castle

A star player for the San Antonio Spurs.

Amen Thompson

A rookie guard for the Houston Rockets, known for his defensive intensity.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

Kevin Durant

A star player for the Houston Rockets who scored 23 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“I went over there and talked to (Johnson) about what I needed to talk about. It doesn't really matter if the other team knows what we're about to do or they know our play. I don't think they were going to stop it, so it didn't really matter.”

— Stephon Castle (yardbarker.com)

The takeaway

This incident showcases the intense competitiveness and focus of NBA players, with Thompson trying to disrupt Castle even during a break in play. However, Castle's confidence and poise allowed him to brush off the defensive pressure and stay focused on his conversation with the coach, highlighting his leadership and decision-making abilities.