Spurs vs Lakers - 12/10

By: Kyle Mucerino
12/11/2025

The Spurs guards–led by Stephon Castle's performance in particular–were too much for the Lakers to overcome on wednesday night in their loss to the Spurs. It continued a trend of the type of team the Lakers struggle against, and the type of game they just can't win. Athletic and explosive teams–particularly at guard–tear up the Lakers. They don't have anyone outside of a 31 year old Marcus Smart to defend the ball at the point of attack, and it reared its ugly head once again.

The Lakers best defense is a good offense. They need to take care of the ball, not turn it over and get good shots. They need to make sure they play as much defense as possible where the opposing team is taking the ball out of the basket as opposed to running and gunning in transition and getting easy early offense.

Let's go through the last 3:50 of the first quarter, where the game's balance tilted for Spurs and became the inflection point from which the Lakers were never able to overcome.

24-20 Lakers, 3:50 left in 1st qtr.

Spurs run action for Keldon Johnson–guarded by Luka–and he comes around a curl screen from the left wing at the elbow, Luka is late and dragging behind, Johnson attacks Jaxson Hayes at the rim and gets a layup–24-22 Lakers.

Lakers offense comes down, runs a play for Austin that ends up with Marcus Smart tossing a lob to Luka who misses, then lays on the floor complaining about a no-call as the Spurs fly down the court, get a corner three that’s missed but get the putback score–24-24 3:08 left in 1st.

Next Lakers possession, Austin Reaves P&R with Smart, attacks the rim and gets a layup–26-24 Lakers.

Next Spurs possession, Lakers play great defense, force a late-clock 3-pt heave, long-shot long-rebound by Spurs, Keldon Johnson makes open three off the long rebound–27-26 Spurs.

Next Lakers possession, Luka and Smart P&R, Smart airballs the three, gets back into Luka’s hands, he misses short floater, got hit in the face–uncalled–stays on that end of the court as the Spurs go down with the advantage and get an easy layup. 29-26 Spurs 1:54 1st.

Fast forward to 30-28 1:10 left in 1st after a technical shot make by Spurs and a LeBron layup on some good high-low action.

Lakers turnover in transition leads to a Spurs 3-pointer in transition on their end. 33-28 Spurs.

Luka step-back three missed on Lakers next possession, Spurs run P&R with Dylan Harper (guarded by LaRavia) and Fox (guarded by Luka) which results in a quick pick-and-pop three for Fox. 36-28 Spurs 34.5 left in 1st.

Smart two-for-one layup on other end. 36-30 Spurs 26.2 secs left in 1st.

With a two-second differential between game and shot clock, Spurs play for the essential final shot of the quarter.

Let's set the stage: Dylan Harper brings the ball up guarded by LaRavia, Olynyk on the right wing guarded by Hayes, Champagnie in the left corner guarded by LeBron, Fox on right wing guarded by Smart, Johnson in the right corner guarded by Luka.

Johnson & Fox switch spots as Johnson goes to to give Harper a screen at the top, Luka and Smart switch on it so Smart is guarding the screen action. LaRavia and Smart switch on the screen, Fox comes and “screens” for Harper, Luka and Smart switch so Luka is guarding Harper with the ball. Harper drives right baseline around Luka, kicks to the right wing to Champagnie, swings it to Johnson for an open three. 39-30 Spurs 2.2 left in 1st qtr.

39-30 Spurs after 1st. The beginning of the end of the game for the Lakers.