NBA Game Delivers as Lakers Edge Spurs 120-115
SAN ANTONIO — The dance music blared as the crowd took turns roaring their way through a fourth-quarter timeout, Lakers coach JJ Redick frustrated after another clean look for the Spurs allowed them to get within a point.
A Thrilling Contest
To that point, the game had delivered.
With the NBA Cup raising the stakes, Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama dueled. The teams traded, and blew, double-digit leads. And with LMFAO turned up to 11 midway through the fourth, the NBA had exactly what it wanted — a November basketball game that felt like it mattered.
Key Moments
The crowd buzzed with each possession, a Wembanyama dunk off a lob getting a roar on one end. A clutch Davis triple on the other leading to a collective groan.
It went that way, deep into the final minute, with the Lakers making the biggest plays in the final seconds of a 120-115 win.
Post-Game Reactions
“You get to play a game like this on the road, especially when we’ve been struggling on the road,” Davis said. “To come in this locker room at the end of the game and get the win, I mean, it was phenomenal. Taking steps in the right direction.”
Davis, who scored 40 points, worked from the block with Wembanyama on his hip and the shot clock running down, only to find a cutting LeBron James for a layup that helped ice the win.
“It was big-time for our team knowing that we can execute down the stretch,” James said. “And it doesn’t always have to be in early transition or it doesn’t always have to be just the ball in my hands and we isolate or whatever the case may be.”
Lakers’ Bench Steps Up
Six different Lakers scored in double figures, with James emphatically clapping his hands and Davis holding the ball in the air at the final horn.
“That’s what we want to do,” Davis said. “We want to be just as good of a road team as we are a home team. And we can’t do that if we don’t come out and compete. We’ve been just a different team when we’ve been out on the road. The way we compete, share the ball, play together at home, is totally different than when we get on the other side on the road. So we did that tonight.”
LeBron’s Milestone
On a night where he moved into a tie for the fifth most regular-season NBA games ever played, James figured out a way to do the incredible.
In his 22nd NBA season, James figured out a way to do something for the first time.
Following triple-doubles in the Lakers’ wins over Philadelphia, Toronto and Memphis, James did it again Friday in San Antonio.
“Waiting 22 years to do something is wild,” James said.
He finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Lakers won each of those four games.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ win was a testament to their ability to come together and make plays when it matters most. With a strong bench performance and key contributions from James and Davis, the team was able to overcome adversity and secure a crucial road win.
FAQs
Q: How did the Lakers win the game?
A: The Lakers won the game 120-115, with Anthony Davis scoring 40 points and LeBron James recording a triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Q: Who was absent from the Lakers’ lineup?
A: Starting forward Rui Hachimura missed the game with a sprained ankle, and rookie Dalton Knecht started in his place.
Q: How did the Lakers’ bench perform?
A: The Lakers’ bench had its best game of the season, with Max Christie scoring a season-high 11 points and Gabe Vincent contributing six points and three steals.
