Lakers SHOCKINGLY Eliminated! What Went Wrong Against Spurs? Fans Are Furious!

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers' aspirations of becoming two-time NBA Cup champions were cut short on Wednesday night, as they suffered a disappointing 132-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. This defeat eliminates them from the tournament and cancels their anticipated trip to Las Vegas for the semifinals.

While this loss does not affect the Lakers' overall record, it marks their third defeat in the last five games, following a seven-game winning streak. Each of these losses has been by double digits, raising concerns about the team's recent performance.

The Spurs exploited the Lakers’ defensive weaknesses, showcasing their speed and athleticism. They managed to score an impressive 27 fast break points and generated 54 bench points, with seven players reaching double figures in scoring. “The things that help you win on the margins, we're just not very good at right now. We gotta ask a little bit more of everybody,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, who emphasized the need for improvement in various areas as the team faces consistent challenges.

Leading the charge for the Spurs was Stephon Castle, who delivered a season-high 30 points, accompanied by 10 rebounds and six assists, shooting an efficient 10-for-14 from the floor, including three 3-pointers. The Lakers struggled to counter the Spurs' offensive momentum; every time they attempted to spark a run, San Antonio responded with a crucial three-pointer—totaling 17 for the night—or a high-energy bucket. This relentless effort by the Spurs allowed them to build multiple 20-point leads, with their largest advantage reaching 24 points.

The Lakers did show flashes of resilience, particularly in the first half, where Luka Dončić and LeBron James combined for a scoring surge. James electrified the crowd with a powerful one-handed dunk over Luke Kornet, finishing the game with 19 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, and three blocks. Dončić continued his scoring streak, marking his ninth consecutive game with over 30 points—he finished with 35 points, five rebounds, and eight assists.

In the fourth quarter, Marcus Smart contributed significantly upon his return from a six-game absence, sinking four 3-pointers and finishing with 26 points on eight-for-14 shooting from beyond the arc. “When you're out for a while, trying to get your wind is a little tough. The back felt really good. I just wanted to bring a little spark for us,” Smart remarked. However, his efforts were isolated, as the rest of the Lakers' bench combined for a mere five points.

Despite the Lakers’ struggles, their shooting percentages were nearly identical to those of the Spurs. The Lakers shot 49.4% (43-for-87) from the field and 43.2% (16-of-37) from three-point range, while the Spurs shot 50% (43-for-86) overall and 44.7% (17-of-38) from beyond the arc. However, the disparity in foul shots was significant, with the Spurs attempting 36 free throws and converting 29, compared to the Lakers' 23 attempts, of which they made 17.

One concerning trend for the Lakers has been the performance of Austin Reaves, who had another underwhelming game, scoring just 15 points on six-for-16 shooting, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Coach Redick acknowledged the strain on Reaves, stating, “The reality is the guy has carried us for six weeks. That takes a toll on you. He's going to have great nights and frustrating nights.”

Looking ahead, the Lakers will now face the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix on Sunday, who also faced elimination in the quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the Lakers regroup, they'll need to address their inconsistencies and find a way to bounce back in what promises to be a competitive matchup.