Lakers Highlights: LA Survives Victor Wembanyama Rally, Beats Spurs Sans LeBron James

LA weathered a shaky fourth quarter to snag the W.

With LeBron James resting on the second night of a back-to-back Texas two-step, your Los Angeles Lakers submitted three superlative quarters of very Anthony Davis-centric basketball tonight in San Antonio, bullying the lowly 3-20 Spurs in the post and generally enjoying a comfortable advantage that ballooned to as much as 20 points.

And then Victor Wembanyama happened.

The Spurs' No. 1 draft pick, who currently seems to be trailing just Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren for Rookie of the Year consideration, powered his club on a 42-23 to get within a single point, 117-116, with just 22 second remaining. A 14-point Victor Wembanyama charge (on 4-of-4 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 shooting from the charity stripe) was the catalyst. 

Having led by double digits for much of the night, the Lakers were caught snoozing early in the frame, and found themselves forcing jumpers and avoiding free throws (or tactical timeouts, for that matter) even as the clock ticked down.

At the end of the day, an ill-timed Wembanyama foul on Cam Reddish with 12 seconds left in regulation forced the 7'3" future superstar's sixth personal foul and an automatic ejection. Without his dominant presence around the rim, the Spurs couldn't hold on long enough to steal what would have been an epic comeback.

LA won by a single possession, 122-119. The victory improved the Lakers to a 15-10 record on the season. The Spurs dropped their 18th consecutive matchup.

The Lakers knew they'd have more of an egalitarian offensive approach tonight without James conducting things. To wit, they turned in some crisp passing sequences, like this puppy:

Ball movement 💯
pic.twitter.com/wO1SYACz6u

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 14, 2023

But make no mistake: Anthony Davis was once again the star of the show. The 6'10" LA big man finished with 37 points (his third straight game with 37 or more, and his 13th straight game with a double-double) on 13-of-23 shooting from the field and 9-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe, 10 rebounds, four steals and one dime, while playing 37:40.

It really was the AD-Wembanyama show, as the two were matched up against one another and often had fun with it:

AD & WEMBY BACK-TO-BACK DUNKS ON EACH OTHER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uQ8SZYSihH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2023

The Spurs behemoth scored 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting (4-of-5 from long range), pulled down 13 rebounds, blocked six (!) shots, swiped three steals and dished out two dimes.

Six Lakers overall finished in double figures: all five starters (Rui Hachimura got the starting nod with James sitting) plus sixth man (for now) Austin Reaves, who finished with 15 points (he did also nail a bonkers 60-footer at the end of the third quarter, but refs ruled that it left his hands too late).

The Lakers will get a little more rest than they had tonight ahead of their next road opponent: the San Antonio Spurs, again, on Friday, looking to avoid their 19th straight loss.

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