The Sports Report: Lakers hold off Spurs to win

The Sports Report: Lakers Hold Off Spurs to Win

The Lakers nearly lost their lead late in the game, but Luka Doncic’s outstanding performance of 35 points helped secure a close 118-116 victory over the Spurs.

Game Atmosphere and Key Players

Broderick Turner reported that the excitement at Crypto.com Arena centered on the star talents Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyana, drawing even some members of the World Series champion Dodgers to watch. However, numerous fouls disrupted the flow, creating an unpleasant game experience.

“Doncic picked up his fifth foul in the fourth quarter, and Wembanyama eventually fouled out.”

Performance Highlights

Doncic contributed 35 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds. His efforts led the Lakers to their fifth consecutive win despite a critical turnover late in the game that allowed the Spurs to nearly tie the score.

Dodgers Focus on Future

Jack Harris noted that the Dodgers are already preparing for a potential World Series three-peat next season. Their goal is to build a roster that can maintain dominance through the winter process. The core lineup is expected to remain mostly unchanged with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith leading the offense, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow will anchor the pitching rotation.

“For the most part, the core of the 2026 Dodgers shouldn’t change much.”

Summary: Luka Doncic’s stellar performance clinched a narrow Lakers win amid a fouled-filled game, while the Dodgers focus on maintaining their championship-winning core for next season.

Los Angeles Times — 2025-11-06