LeBron James recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double while Anthony Davis delivered a season-high 40 points, propelling the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-115 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in their first NBA Cup Group Play game at Frost Bank Center.
The Lakers, aiming for back-to-back NBA Cup titles after last year’s success, overcame a sluggish start that saw the Spurs open with an 18-6 run in the first five minutes. However, the Lakers regrouped behind Davis’ dominant performance and LeBron’s all-around brilliance.
Davis, who also tallied 12 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists, shot an efficient 14-for-26 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. James contributed 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, including two crucial free throws with 11 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
In a tightly contested game, Austin Reaves played a pivotal role in the final minutes, scoring 19 points and hitting a clutch three-pointer with 1:59 left to give the Lakers a 114-113 edge. D’Angelo Russell added 13 points, six assists, and three steals off the bench, while Gabe Vincent chipped in six points and three steals.
Rookie Dalton Knecht, starting in place of Rui Hachimura (out with an ankle injury), contributed 14 points, while Max Christie returned to the starting lineup with 11 points and two steals.
For the Spurs, second-year sensation Victor Wembanyama led the charge with 28 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Despite his strong performance, the Lakers’ defense tightened on the 7-foot-3 standout as the game progressed. Wembanyama entered the matchup following a career-high 50-point outing but fell just short of delivering a victory for San Antonio.
The Lakers’ depth and defensive adjustments ultimately proved decisive, keeping them on track in their quest to retain the NBA Cup title.
