Lakers Hang On Late to Beat Spurs
The Lakers extended their winning streak to five games with a thrilling 118-117 victory over the Spurs, rallying late in the fourth quarter.
Game Summary
The Lakers struggled early, with their offense sputtering and scoring limited to a single 3-pointer by Luka Dončić in the first quarter. Los Angeles quickly fell behind by seven points. However, their offense picked up momentum, closing the gap to within two points. The Spurs shot 50% from beyond the arc, while the Lakers managed only 14%. Julian Champagnie led the Spurs with nine points.
At the 6:16 mark of the first quarter, the Lakers trailed by six. Los Angeles notably defended Victor Wembanyama well, keeping him scoreless initially. Luka Dončić dominated the scoring for the Lakers, with the only other Laker scoring more than two points being Dalton Knecht. By the end of the first quarter, Los Angeles trailed by three points.
Second Quarter Action
Wembanyama scored on a layup to start the second quarter. Bronny James was substituted in and made an immediate impact, converting a jumper on his first shot attempt.
Key Moments in the Fourth Quarter
Late in the fourth, the Lakers appeared poised to seal the win. However, a costly turnover from Marcus Smart and a foul called on Jake LaRavia nearly jeopardized their comeback.
Top Player Performances
- Luka Dončić: 35 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks
- Rui Hachimura: 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting
- Deandre Ayton: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
"The Lakers rallied back in the fourth to beat the Spurs 118-117 to extend their winning streak to five."
The Lakers’ resilience in the fourth quarter was crucial for overcoming a tough Spurs team shooting well from three-point range.
Author’s summary: The Lakers overcame a slow start and strong Spurs shooting to secure a narrow win, highlighted by Luka Dončić’s all-around star performance and late-game grit.