Lakers Hang On Late to Beat Spurs
The Lakers extended their winning streak to five games with a narrow 118-117 victory over the Spurs, rallying late in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Game Summary
The Lakers faced a tough challenge as the Spurs held the lead early. Los Angeles struggled offensively at the start, scoring their only points in the first quarter from a Luka Dončić three-pointer. The team fell behind by seven points initially but managed to close the gap to two by the quarter's end. San Antonio shot 50% from beyond the arc, while the Lakers shot only 14% from three.
- Luka Dončić led the game with 35 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks.
- Rui Hachimura contributed 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
- Deandre Ayton added 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
- Julian Champagnie led the Spurs with 9 points.
Key Moments
Late in the fourth quarter, the Lakers appeared positioned to win. However, a costly turnover by Marcus Smart and a foul call on Jake LaRavia almost cost them the comeback. Despite these challenges, the Lakers held on for the one-point victory.
The defense effectively limited Victor Wembanyama's scoring early, as he went scoreless in the first quarter. Luka Dončić dominated offensively during that period, being the primary scoring threat, with Dalton Knecht as the only other Laker scoring more than two points.
Bronny James was subbed in during the second quarter and successfully made his first shot attempt, a jumper, giving the Lakers an offensive boost.
"The Lakers rallied back in the fourth to beat the Spurs 118-117 to extend their winning streak to five."
"Luka Dončić ended with 35 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists, five steals and two blocks."
Final Thoughts
The Lakers showcased resilience, overcoming a slow start and key mistakes to deliver a clutch performance that keeps their momentum alive.