Five consecutive wins! Doncic records 32+9+13+5, Ayton posts 22+10, Vembanyama struggles, Spurs lose to Lakers despite seven players scoring in double figures

On November 6th Beijing time, the Lakers hosted the Spurs in an NBA regular season matchup. After four quarters, the Lakers edged out the Spurs 118-116. For the Lakers, Doncic tallied 35 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 steals; Ayton contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds; Hachimura scored 14 points; Smart added 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. For the Spurs, seven players scored in double digits. Vembanyama shot 5 for 14, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists; Kessler had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals; Vassell added 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.

In the first quarter, the Lakers struggled to adjust defensively against the Spurs, falling behind 10-3 early. Doncic responded with a mix of shots and free throws to help the Lakers close the gap, but Champagnie quickly answered with a three-pointer. Vassell hit a long-range shot as the Spurs went on a small run to extend their lead to double digits. Doncic orchestrated a 6-0 run, but the Spurs countered immediately with another three-pointer. Doncic played hero ball with aggressive scoring, and Knect added a long-range shot to boost the Lakers. The first quarter ended with the Lakers trailing 26-29 to the Spurs.

In the second quarter, Brown, Hachimura, and Hayes scored consecutively, but the Spurs maintained their offensive intensity, highlighted by Vembanyama’s impressive dunk. Smart and Ayton made successive free throws to narrow the gap, but the Spurs punished with another three-pointer. The Lakers then spread the scoring around to tie the game. Doncic, trapped near the basket, faked defenders and delivered a no-look pass behind his back to Hachimura, who calmly drained a three-pointer to put the Lakers ahead. In the last three minutes of the half, the lead exchanged hands repeatedly. Vembanyama made one of two free throws, and the Spurs trailed the Lakers 59-60 at halftime.

In the second half, both teams’ offensive efficiency declined, but the Lakers extended their lead thanks to Smart’s scoring. The Spurs seemed to need external motivation to regain their shooting touch, with Barnes and Champagnie lighting it up from outside. Vembanyama’s powerful dunk put the Spurs back in front. Barnes’s three-pointer was a dagger, sparking another Spurs run. Despite carrying four fouls, Doncic kept firing, leading the Lakers on a series of fast breaks to tie the game again. Toward the end of the quarter, the Lakers’ offense stalled while the Spurs’ young players soared, quickly pushing their lead to double digits. Vembanyama’s fourth foul sent Hayes to the line, and the Spurs led 96-88 over the Lakers.

In the final quarter, Vembanyama quickly picked up his fifth personal foul and had to sit out. The Lakers seized the opportunity to bring Doncic back in and start closing the gap. With a three-pointer from Hachimura, the Lakers were just two points behind, prompting the Spurs to call a timeout. Vembanyama returned to help the Spurs stop the bleeding. Doncic hit a step-back three to put the Lakers ahead again. Vembanyama then charged into Hachimura, who was called for an offensive foul, leading to Vembanyama’s sixth foul and disqualification. In the final moments, free throws from Ayton and Smart helped the Lakers maintain their lead. However, Smart stepped out of bounds on a baseline inbound, giving the Spurs a chance for a game-winning shot. Champagnie was fouled on an alley-oop attempt and made 0 of 2 free throws, as the Lakers held on to a narrow 118-116 victory, securing their fifth straight win.

Lakers starting lineup: Doncic, LaRavia, Smart, Hachimura, Ayton

Spurs starting lineup: Champagnie, Barnes, Vembanyama, Vassell, Kessler