In a decisive NBA Cup quarterfinal held on December 10, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119 at Crypto.com Arena.
Dominant Performance by Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle poured in 30 points, with 21 coming in the second half, and added 10 rebounds and six assists. His scoring burst helped the Spurs build a 17‑2 run that pushed the lead to 18 points in the second quarter. Castle’s return from a 10‑game hip‑injury absence was a key factor in the Spurs’ victory.
Spurs’ Team Effort
Keldon Johnson contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox added 20 points. Eight Spurs recorded at least eight points, and the bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves 48‑31. The Spurs’ balanced attack and steady double‑digit lead in the final three quarters secured the last semifinal spot in Las Vegas.
Lakers’ Resilience Falls Short
The Lakers, led by Luka Doncic’s 35 points, saw LeBron James finish with 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Marcus Smart scored a season‑high 26 points and hit eight 3‑pointers, and Austin Reaves added 15 points. Despite trimming the deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles could not close the gap.
Injury Update and Future Matchups
Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury but traveled with the Spurs. The Spurs will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas, while the Lakers will travel to Phoenix on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Spurs win 132‑119 over Lakers, securing a semifinal berth.
- Stephon Castle scores 30 points, 21 in the second half.
- Lakers’ Luka Doncic tallies 35 points, but the team falls short.
The Spurs’ victory marks their ninth win in 12 overall, reinforcing their status as a formidable Western Conference contender heading into the postseason.
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