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 despite some tense moments.
Game Summary
Los Angeles started the game cold offensively, managing only a 3-pointer from Luka Dončić early on. The Lakers quickly fell behind by seven but began closing the gap as their offense improved. At the 6:16 mark, they trailed by six, partly due to San Antonio shooting 50% from three-point range compared to just 14% for the Lakers.
Victor Wembanyama was held scoreless early thanks to strong defensive efforts from Los Angeles. Luka Dončić led the Lakers throughout the first quarter, with the only other player scoring more than two points being Dalton Knecht. By the end of the quarter, the Lakers trailed by three.
Key Players and Performance
- Luka Dončić: Dominated with 35 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists, five steals, and two blocks.
- Rui Hachimura: Added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
- Deandre Ayton: Contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
- Julian Champagnie: Led the Spurs with nine points.
Critical Moments
Late in the fourth, the Lakers appeared poised to win but nearly squandered their comeback after a costly turnover by Marcus Smart and a foul called on Jake LaRavia.
Bronny James entered the game in the second quarter and made an immediate impact by converting his first shot attempt, a jumper.
“It wasn’t easy, but the Lakers rallied back in the fourth to beat the Spurs 118-117 and extend their winning streak.”
Notable Defensive Efforts
Los Angeles' defense was crucial, especially in limiting Wembanyama’s scoring threat early in the game.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers showed resilience, overcoming a shaky start and late challenges to secure a hard-fought win.
Author's summary: The Lakers overcame early struggles and a last-minute scare to extend their winning streak, driven by Luka Dončić's all-around dominance and solid team defense.