Stephon Castle delivered a breakout performance, scoring 30 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Los Angeles Lakers 132–119 in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal. 21 of his points came in the second half.
De’Aaron Fox added 20 points and Keldon Johnson chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds as San Antonio secured the final semifinal berth and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 35 points, while LeBron James nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Marcus Smart knocked down eight 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 26 points, and Austin Reaves added 15. Despite trimming the deficit to eight late in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles, winners of nine of their previous 12, couldn’t close the gap.
San Antonio controlled the game for most of the night, winning for the ninth time in its last 12. Castle was exceptional in just his second game back from a 10-game absence due to a hip injury, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. The Spurs’ depth also proved decisive as their bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves 48–31.
The turning point came in the second quarter when San Antonio unleashed a 17–2 run to build an 18-point cushion, with Castle and Harrison Barnes capitalizing on the Lakers’ ongoing issues defending the perimeter. Los Angeles, the inaugural NBA Cup champions in 2023, entered unbeaten in group play but couldn’t slow the Spurs’ offensive rhythm.
Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury but traveled with the team.
Up Next
*Spurs: Face Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Lakers: Visit the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.*
