Luka Doncic Powers Lakers to Dramatic Win Over Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a nine-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 118–116 on Wednesday night, securing their fifth consecutive victory, according to News.Az citing ESPN.
Key Player Performances
- Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, and five steals.
- Deandre Ayton contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds.
- Doncic scored eight points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with 2:31 remaining.
Final Moments and Crucial Plays
San Antonio had a chance to win in the final seconds after Marcus Smart committed an inbound violation following Kelly Olynyk’s putback with 1.2 seconds left. Justin Champagnie drew a foul from Jake LaRavia on the Spurs’ inbound attempt but missed his first free throw, and no one converted the rebound at the buzzer.
San Antonio Spurs Highlights
- Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 19 points and eight rebounds, fouling out with 1:39 remaining.
- Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan each scored 16 points.
- The Spurs lost their second straight game after starting the season 5–0.
Game Analysis
Despite shooting only 9-for-27 from the field, Luka Doncic’s playmaking and clutch shooting were decisive in a foul-heavy contest. Both Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan fouled out in the fourth quarter. The Lakers controlled the game’s momentum by holding San Antonio without a field goal for nearly four and a half minutes late in the contest.
"Luka Doncic delivered another standout performance with 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, and five steals as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the San Antonio Spurs 118–116."
Author’s summary: Luka Doncic’s versatile performance, combined with key plays in the final minutes, led the Lakers to a tense 118–116 win over the Spurs, marking their fifth straight victory.