LOS ANGELES (AP) — Victor Wembanyama showcased his talent with 23 points and eight rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 126-102 on Monday night. Harrison Barnes added 17 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, leading the Spurs to a strong finish. The game marked the Lakers’ return to action after two postponements caused by devastating wildfires in Southern California, which have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed thousands of structures.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a commanding performance, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. LeBron James contributed 18 points and eight assists, but the Lakers struggled to match the Spurs’ intensity in the closing moments, leading to their third consecutive loss.
Devin Vassell and rookie Stephon Castle each scored 23 points for the Spurs, providing a balanced offensive effort. The game was tightly contested through three quarters, but San Antonio surged in the fourth with a 25-9 run, breaking the tie and seizing control. Their strong finish highlighted the team’s resilience after a challenging stretch of losses and delays.
The night also included a special halftime ceremony where the Lakers retired Michael Cooper’s No. 21 jersey. Cooper, a Hall of Fame guard and five-time NBA champion during the Showtime Lakers era, was honored for his contributions to the franchise, with fans showing their appreciation in an emotional moment.
Despite the home-court advantage, the Lakers appeared to be affected by the emotional weight of recent events. Head coach JJ Redick, whose home was destroyed in the wildfires, and several players faced evacuation warnings during the past week. The disruptions may have impacted the team’s focus, as they struggled to keep pace with the Spurs in the final quarter.
LeBron James, typically a dominant scorer, took a season-low 11 shots, equaling Max Christie and trailing Austin Reaves in attempts. This unusual distribution of shots hindered the Lakers’ ability to generate consistent offense. San Antonio capitalized on this, using a strong finish to the third quarter and a quick 12-5 run in the fourth to create a 101-94 lead that proved insurmountable.
Looking ahead, the Spurs aim to maintain their momentum as they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will attempt to regroup and break their losing streak in a home game against the Miami Heat on the same evening.
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