San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Spurs don't let Pistons push them around in ninth straight win

By Sean Keane | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 8:28 AM ET

To stop Victor Wembanyama, opposing teams have tried to get physical with him and the streaking San Antonio Spurs. It didn't work for the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

Wembanyama had six blocks and 17 rebounds in the Spurs' 114-103 victory, their ninth straight win. Even with the Pistons getting physical, Stephon Castle shook off Cade Cunningham's shove to finish with 16 points and 11 assists in a signature win for the young Spurs.

Teams try to push around Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs have the NBA's third-best record after missing the playoffs for the last six seasons. They're led by Wembanyama, who is difficult to stop thanks to his 7-foot-4 height, though teams often try to shove the center around, as he's only 235 pounds.

Earlier in February, Draymond Green got into a heated battle with Wemby in the paint, shoving him as he tried to establish position. It worked on one possession, but not for a whole game, as Wembanyama finished with 26 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting.

Draymond vs. Wemby pic.twitter.com/39z9PXuX6F
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 12, 2026

It's becoming harder to push Wembanyama around, and that goes for his young teammates as well. Late in the second quarter, Cunningham shoved second-year guard Stephon Castle, which sparked a near-fight between the two teams. Keldon Johnson and Jalen Duren, back from his fighting suspension, both got technical fouls.

Cade Cunningham shoved Stephon Castle which results in a chippy confrontation between the two teams (with replays)

Upon review, a technical foul was assessed to Keldon Johnson and Jalen Duren

Also on Youtube:https://t.co/7zJT0qLGYV pic.twitter.com/tkJJelclyj
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 24, 2026

Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama are an incredible defensive duo

Cunningham may have been trying to test the Spurs' 21-year-old guard, or he could have been frustrated by Castle's smothering defense. Castle was the primary defender on Cunningham on a night where the All-Star guard shot 5-of-26 from the floor. He finished with 16 points and 10 assists, but the Spurs made him work very hard for everything he got.

Castle had a great game, but it's also much easier to play defense when the NBA's best shot-blocker is there to erase any mistakes.

Back-to-back dynamic blocks

Wemby's potent defense helps set up the offense for the Spurs!

SAS leads in Q4 on Peacock pic.twitter.com/hvqHcRMZ14
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2026

The Pistons didn't by any means fold. They outrebounded the Spurs, 55-50, and held them to 42 percent shooting. Duren had 25 points and 14 boards and went 10-of-13. It's simply that the Spurs locked them down even more severely on defense.

The Spurs have won nine straight. The Pistons lost for the first time in six games. Monday's game could well have been an NBA Finals preview. If so, that series is going to get physical.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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