When the basketball great and the up-and-comer met for the first time on Friday night, LeBron James demonstrated to Victor Wembanyama why he is regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
Wembanyama, a rookie with the Spurs, ended up with the final laugh as San Antonio defeated LeBron’s Lakers 129-115 at AT&T Center.
Towards the end of the second quarter on Friday, LeBron showed the 19-year-old a glimpse of his brilliance by launching a stepback three-pointer that soared beyond his younger opponent.
Unfortunately, Wembanyama’s 13 points and 15 rebounds weren’t enough to prevent the Spurs from losing despite his individual excellence.
The home team ended an 18-game losing streak thanks to 36 points from Devin Vassell and others.
In his comeback from Wednesday’s game, when he missed due to a bruised left calf, LeBron scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
In Wednesday’s 122-119 win over the Spurs, Anthony Davis scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. However, he was unable to play due to a hip ailment. Cam Reddish (right knee discomfort) and D’Angelo Russell (migraine) were also out for Los Angeles.
San Antonio hadn’t won since their November 2nd victory over Phoenix, therefore this was their first. It surpassed last season’s 16-game losing streak to become the longest in franchise history.
The Lakers, winners of the NBA In-Season Tournament, were playing in their third game in as many nights.
The Spurs’ Zach Collins scored sixteen points and Keldon Johnson scored seventeen.
The Lakers attempted a balanced scoring аttаck in Davis’s absence. Rui Hachimura scored 20 points and Austin Reaves scored 22.
After jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first four minutes of the game, San Antonio extended their lead to 49-24 after Doug McDermott made a 3-pointer in the third minute of the second quarter.
A 25-point lead was soon eroded as the Lakers embarked on a 38-17 surge to start the second quarter. Christian Wood cut the Spurs’ lead to 66-62 with 19 seconds remaining in the first half as he shoved Wembanyama away for a layup.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Wood scored the game-winning slam to end an 8-0 run, 88-80.