Devin Vassell scored a career-high 36 points to help San Antonio beat the Los Angeles Lakers 129-115 on Friday, snapping the San Antonio Spurs’ franchise-record 18-game losing streak.
It was the second consecutive game between the teams over three nights in the Alamo City. The Lakers won the first game on Wednesday without LeBron James, who was out with a bruised left calf. The Lakers were unable to repeat that victory on Friday with James in the lineup but without three starters (Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish) due to lingering injuries.
Instead, it was Vassell who made the best plays, while Keldon Johnson scored 17 points (all in the first half), Zach Collins had 16, Cedi Osman scored 15 and Victor Wembanyama had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs. San Antonio won for the first time since Nov. 2; The Lakers have lost two of their last three games.
James led Los Angeles with 23 points and 14 assists. Austin Reaves added 22 points for the Lakers, with Rui Hachimura hitting 20 and Christian Wood adding 17 (both off the bench) and Taurean Prince contributing 12 points.
San Antonio started inspired, building a 42-22 lead while shooting 64 percent with six three-pointers in the first quarter. Vassell scored 11 points in the period to help the Spurs gain a big lead.
The Spurs increased their lead to 25 points when Doug McDermott hit a three-pointer to make the score 49-24 with 9:04 left in the second quarter. James cut the deficit to 59-46. The Angelenos reduced the deficit to four points before a three-point play by Johnson with 5.1 seconds left gave San Antonio a 69-62 lead at halftime.
James scored 18 points before halftime to lead the way in points, while Johnson scored his 17 to pace the Spurs.
San Antonio was up 88-72 after two Vassell free throws with 6:46 left in the third period. The Lakers cut their deficit to six points before San Antonio scored the final five points of the period to take a 98-87 lead into the fourth quarter. The Texans maintained their composure in the final match, despite a backpack of 18 consecutive defeats, and finally tasted victory after two months of disappointments.
