Lakers Hang On Late to Beat Spurs
The Lakers secured a hard-fought 118-117 victory over the Spurs, extending their winning streak to five games with a late fourth-quarter rally.
Game Summary
The Lakers struggled offensively early, scoring only a three-pointer from Luka Dončić as they fell behind by seven points. San Antonio shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc, while the Lakers managed just 14% from three-point range.
- At the 6:16 mark in the first quarter, the Lakers trailed by six points.
- Los Angeles did a strong job defending Victor Wembanyama, who had yet to score in the quarter.
- Luka Dončić led the Lakers with a dominant performance, while only Dalton Knecht scored more than two points in the first quarter.
- By the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were trailing by three points.
Key Moments
- Wembanyama opened the second quarter scoring with a basket off the glass.
- Bronny James entered the game and made his first shot attempt, a jumper.
- Late in the fourth quarter, a costly turnover by Marcus Smart and a foul on Jake LaRavia nearly derailed the Lakers’ comeback.
Player Performances
- Luka Dončić: 35 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks.
- Rui Hachimura: 15 points on 5-9 shooting.
- Deandre Ayton: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks.
- Julian Champagnie: Led the Spurs with 9 points.
“Luka Dončić ended with 35 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists, five steals and two blocks.”
“Late in the fourth, the Lakers looked like they were in perfect position to win, until a costly turnover from Marcus Smart and a foul call on Jake LaRavia nearly choked away a gritty comeback.”
The Lakers overcame early shooting struggles and strong Spurs defense to secure a thrilling victory thanks to Luka’s leadership and clutch plays down the stretch.
Author’s summary: The Lakers battled through early shooting woes and Spurs pressure to claim a one-point win, highlighting Luka Dončić’s all-around dominance and resilience in tight moments.