In their final game of their Texas road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, hoping to win two games in a row against the weakest club in the Western Conference.

LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt were able to rejoin the Lakers, but Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Cam Reddish were out, meaning the team was missing three starters. The Spurs entered the game having lost their previous 18 games in a row, but they ensured that the streak did not extend to 19 by winning 129-115 in the end.

Despite a highlight dunk by James in breakaway, the Spurs stormed out to an early 16-4 lead as the Lakers, missing so many important players, battled predictably early on.

Although Spurs players like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson were hot early on, Austin Reaves was in the starting lineup for the Lakers and scored a few baskets in the first few minutes. At 21-8, Darvin Ham was finally had to declare a timeout for the Lakers.

After that, Victor Wembanyama dominated the paint on both ends to increase San Antonio’s advantage to 20 at 42–22 at the end of the first quarter, highlighting the Lakers’ lack of size without Davis.

The Spurs started the second quarter scorching from 3-point range while the Lakers looked chilly. However, the Lakers started to claw their way back with a 15-2 run as the margin grew to 25. Reaves, James, and Taurean Prince established strong connections as Los Angeles began to eventually get some shots to fall.

James finished the half with a triple that dipped just past Wembanyama’s eyes, continuing the Laker surge. Christian Wood made significant offensive contributions as well, enabling the team to cut a 25-point lead to just seven points at the half, 69-62.

Regretfully, the Spurs, who had led by 16 points at one point in the third quarter, returned to form and scorched from beyond the arc in the fourth.

Reaves led his side to an 8-0 run, however, with back-to-back long threes when they most needed it. Nevertheless, the youthful Spurs maintained their poise and gradually reclaimed command, finishing the quarter strongly to lead 98-87 heading into the fourth. The Spurs won a third quarter for just the second time this season.

In the fourth quarter, Vassell and the Spurs continued to play well, increasing the lead to 17 points. James was making every effort to provide his teammates with open shots, but they were falling while the Spurs were easily scoring on the opposite end.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Spurs’ lead had increased to twenty points. Ham decided to end the game and bench James, and the Lakers ultimately suffered the heartbreaking loss.