Lakers stave off near‑collapse as Luka Dončić scores 35 and Victor Wembanyama fouls out
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 118-112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, overcoming a nine‑point deficit in the fourth quarter. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 35 points, 13 rebounds and a handful of assists, while the Spurs were left without their star rookie Victor Wembanyama after he fouled out late in the game.
San Antonio had held the advantage for most of the third quarter, entering the final period with a 106-97 lead. The Spurs struggled with shooting throughout the night, especially from Wembanyama, who managed just 12 of 28 attempts from the field. Despite the poor shooting night, the team relied on balanced scoring from role players to maintain the lead.
When the Lakers entered the fourth quarter, Dončić ignited a rally, stringing together a series of drives and mid‑range jumpers that cut the gap to three points. His aggressive play on the boards also limited second‑chance opportunities for the Spurs, allowing the Lakers to claw back into contention.
Midway through the final period, Wembanyama accumulated five personal fouls and was forced to leave the game. His absence reduced the Spurs’ interior presence, and San Antonio’s bench was unable to compensate for the loss of size and shot‑blocking. Meanwhile, Los Angeles benefited from contributions by its supporting cast, with the point guard adding eight points and the center securing four crucial rebounds in the closing minutes.
Post‑game, the Spurs’ head coach praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the need for better shooting consistency and discipline in avoiding foul trouble. The Lakers’ coach highlighted Dončić’s performance as the catalyst for the comeback, noting that the win helps keep the team within striking distance of a playoff berth.
Both clubs look ahead to their next matchups with the conference standings still in flux. The Lakers aim to build on the momentum generated by Dončić’s display, while the Spurs will seek to rebound from the loss and integrate Wembanyama back into the lineup once he recovers from the foul‑related exit.
