Spurs 116 vs 118 Lakers Summary, Stats, Scores and Highlights | NBA
Luka Doncic made a strong return from injury and delivered an impressive performance against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling game that came down to the final seconds in Los Angeles.
Game Overview
The Lakers appeared to have control, leading by four points with only a few seconds left. Kelley Olynyk scored a quick two-point shot with 1.2 seconds remaining. Marcus Smart inbounded the ball to Rui Hachimura across the court but stepped on the baseline, giving the Spurs another possession.
Final Moments
Julian Champagnie was fouled during the inbound play and went to the free-throw line with a chance to tie. He missed the first shot, and the second narrowly failed to drop as well. The Lakers managed to hang on for their fifth consecutive win.
Key Performances
- Luka Doncic tallied 13 assists and took over late, converting a clutch shot to give the Lakers the lead with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
- Victor Wembanyama struggled early and faced foul trouble in the second half, which opened up opportunities for the Lakers’ frontcourt.
- Spurs rookie Stephon Castle stepped up, leading a strong third-quarter run that briefly gave San Antonio a 12-point advantage early in the fourth.
Notable Moments
When Wembanyama picked up his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter, the Lakers began exploiting the paint effectively through Jaxson Hayes and teammates. With LeBron James and Austin Reaves sidelined, Doncic shared the ball efficiently but still delivered when it mattered most.
“Luka had to spread it around because he wasn’t going to be able to do it all on his own.”
Despite Wembanyama’s slow start, his defensive presence challenged the Lakers until foul trouble forced him to the bench during crucial moments.
Author’s Summary
A thrilling finish in Los Angeles saw Luka Doncic’s leadership and clutch shooting secure the Lakers’ fifth straight win over a resilient Spurs team battling foul trouble.