Three Takeaways: Spurs Fall Just Short Against Lakers As Growing Pains Continue

LOS ANGELES — The San Antonio Spurs are still figuring out how to win tough games on the road, and Wednesday night offered another harsh lesson.

Despite a late surge, San Antonio fell 118-116 to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, closing out their two-game trip with a second consecutive loss. After a 5–0 start, the Spurs have now dropped two straight — and both have followed a similar script: moments of brilliance overshadowed by untimely mistakes.

“I thought their competitiveness was great,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said after the game. “I think attention to detail, some decision-making, and discipline needs to improve. I thought at the end, they were more locked in. But we still had some punishable miscues.”

Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ loss to the Lakers:

Wembanyama Feeling the Physicality

For the second game in a row, Victor Wembanyama found himself out of rhythm — and out of sorts.

The Lakers threw size, muscle, and experience at the 20-year-old, with DeAndre Ayton, Jackson Hayes, and Marcus Smart taking turns bumping him off his spots. The result: a stat line that looked solid (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block) but came with visible frustration.

Wembanyama fouled out in the fourth quarter, picking up his sixth after an ill-timed charge. He spent long stretches drifting around the perimeter rather than operating inside, where the Lakers made every touch a battle.

“He’ll be fine,” Johnson said of his star player. “We need to get him the ball in better spots and get to our starting spots earlier. He needs to be more demonstrative and demand the ball.”

Wembanyama, for his part, didn’t sound shaken — but did acknowledge the adjustment he’s facing.

“There’s no worrying really,” he said. “The game feels fast right now... We’re going to catch up to it, of course, but personally, I haven’t seen this kind of defense from teams.”