Spurs Shock Lakers in Epic NBA Cup Clash: Castle Drops 30 as San Antonio Stuns LA, Advancing to Semifinals
The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Cup contention after a tough loss to the San Antonio Spurs, who secured a 132-119 victory in LA. With the win, the Spurs advanced to the NBA Cup Semifinals. Stephon Castle was the standout for San Antonio, dropping 30 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. He was supported by De’Aaron Fox (20 points) and a solid performance from Keldon Johnson, who added 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Luka Dončić led the Lakers with a commanding 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, but his brilliance wasn’t enough to overcome the Spurs’ well-rounded team effort. Marcus Smart contributed with 26 points off the bench, including 8 three-pointers, while LeBron James notched a double-double, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. Despite the individual performances, the Lakers struggled to find a rhythm.
While Luka can routinely put up 30, 40, or even 50 points per game, his ball-dominant style sometimes makes it difficult for his teammates to get into a groove. His tendency to isolate and dribble excessively often leaves them standing still, waiting for a shot opportunity that rarely comes unless he’s forced to pass after driving into traffic. While Luka’s individual brilliance is undeniable, this style can frustrate teammates and hinder their confidence, leaving them too often watching rather than engaging in the flow of the offense. This dynamic ultimately hurt the Lakers’ chances as they were ousted from the competition.
