Luka Doncic Leads Lakers to Victory Over Spurs
Luka Doncic scored 35 points as the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly defeated Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 118–116 at home on Wednesday. Doncic showcased a versatile performance with 13 assists, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks, despite shooting only 33.3 percent from the field. The win improved the Lakers' record to 7-2.
Historic Season Start for Doncic
Doncic's remarkable night extended his historic season start, carrying the Lakers' offense especially in the absence of LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Fans praised his impactful late-game three-pointer and his all-around contributions on both ends of the court.
“Doncic's clutch 25-foot step-back three-pointer gave the Lakers a 113–112 lead with just over 2:30 remaining.”
Supporting Performances and Team Stats
- Deandre Ayton contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds.
- Marcus Smart added 17 points, though he had a costly turnover in the final seconds.
- Bronny James scored two points and grabbed one rebound in five minutes.
The Spurs showed depth with seven players scoring in double digits, including their five starters. Wembanyama finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three assists as San Antonio’s record dropped to 5-2.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The Lakers led 60–59 at halftime, thanks to Doncic’s 22 first-half points, while Wembanyama had seven for the Spurs. San Antonio surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 37-28 to take a 96–88 lead heading into the final period.
In the closing moments, Doncic’s clutch shot shifted momentum back to the Lakers. However, Marcus Smart's late turnover on an inbound play gave the Spurs one last opportunity that fell short.
“Smart turned the ball over on an inbound play with just over a second left, giving the Spurs a chance.”
Author's summary: Luka Doncic's all-around brilliance fueled a narrow Lakers win over the Spurs, highlighting his leadership and clutch scoring amid key absences.