LOS ANGELES– – Stephon Castle scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, and De’Aaron Fox added 20 points in the San Antonio Spurs“132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday evening in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.
Keldon Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds as the Spurs held a healthy double-digit lead for most of the final three quarters to claim the final Cup semifinal spot in Las Vegas, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder SATURDAY.
Luka Doncic scored 35 points and LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, who lost for only the third time in 12 games. Los Angeles cut its deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get any closer.
Smart Marcus scored a game-high 26 points with eight 3-pointers for the Lakers, and Austin Reaves had 15 points.
San Antonio has won nine of 12 games overall after steadily controlling this matchup between two Western Conference teams hoping to challenge the defending champion Thunder this week and in the playoffs.
Castle was outstanding in his second game back after a 10-game absence due to a hip injury, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. Eight Spurs scored at least eight points and their bench outscored the Los Angeles reserves 48-31.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 and went undefeated in group play this fall before running into the Spurs.
San Antonio went on a 17-2 run and took an 18-point lead into the second quarter, with Castle and Harrison Barnes exploiting Los Angeles’ season-long struggles in perimeter shooting defense.
Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury, but traveled with the Spurs.
Following
Spurs: Face Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Lakers: at Phoenix on Sunday.
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