The Los Angeles Lakers opened their NBA Cup title defense in thrilling fashion, claiming a 120-115 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. Anthony Davis was at his best, delivering a dominant performance with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Davis was unstoppable throughout, particularly in the first half, where he poured in 26 points to help the Lakers overcome an early deficit.
LeBron James added another chapter to his legendary career with a fourth consecutive triple-double, tallying 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. Austin Reaves stepped up with 19 points, while Dalton Knecht, starting in place of Rui Hachimura, scored 14 points. Max Christie made an impressive return to the rotation, contributing 11 points off the bench, and D’Angelo Russell chipped in 13 points in a well-rounded team effort.
The game began with the Spurs racing out to an 18-6 lead, fueled by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who hit an early three-pointer and showcased his elite scoring ability. The Lakers struggled to find their footing in the opening minutes, with their new-look starting lineup lacking cohesion. However, a timeout allowed Los Angeles to regroup, and Anthony Davis took control. Scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone, Davis spearheaded a 25-12 Lakers run to close the period, giving them a narrow 31-30 lead heading into the second quarter.
In the second frame, the Lakers extended their lead as their supporting cast came alive. Max Christie energized the team with a fastbreak layup and a wing three-pointer, part of an 11-point outing that gave the Lakers bench a much-needed spark. Despite this surge, the Spurs refused to back down, using a trio of three-pointers to cut the Lakers’ lead to a single point midway through the quarter. Davis remained the steadying force for Los Angeles, scoring at will in the paint and knocking down mid-range jumpers to keep the Spurs at bay. The Lakers carried a 68-60 lead into halftime, with Davis firmly in control.
The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and mini-runs. The Lakers opened up a double-digit lead early in the period, but the Spurs clawed back, led by Wembanyama’s impressive play. The rookie showed flashes of brilliance with his scoring versatility, finishing with 28 points and several highlight-worthy plays. However, Davis continued to assert himself on both ends of the floor, reaching the 30-point mark while keeping the Lakers ahead. A late surge by Los Angeles pushed the lead to 93-86 heading into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter was a dramatic showdown, with the Spurs refusing to go quietly. San Antonio trimmed the Lakers’ lead to one point multiple times, with Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell hitting clutch three-pointers. The Spurs briefly took a 107-106 lead after Vassell connected from deep, but the Lakers responded in kind. Davis knocked down a critical three-pointer and converted on several trips to the free-throw line to regain the advantage for Los Angeles.
With under two minutes remaining, the game hung in the balance. Wembanyama threw down an alley-oop to tie the game, but Davis answered with a three-pointer to give the Lakers a two-point lead. After trading baskets, Austin Reaves nailed a clutch three-pointer to put Los Angeles ahead for good. LeBron James then iced the game with a layup off a Davis assist and sealed the victory with free throws in the final seconds.
The win showcased the Lakers’ resilience and depth, as they overcame an early double-digit deficit and weathered multiple Spurs rallies. It was a statement performance from Davis, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s premier players, and another display of LeBron’s brilliance in his 21st season.
The Lakers will aim to build on this momentum as they head to New Orleans for the second night of a back-to-back. They’ll face the Pelicans on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT, looking to continue their strong start to the NBA Cup tournament.
