Luka Doncic Praised by NBA Fans After Making History as Lakers Beat Wemby, Spurs
Luka Doncic dropped 35 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 118–116 win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs at home on Wednesday.
Behind Doncic's standout double-double, adding 13 assists, nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks while shooting 33.3 percent from the field, the Lakers improved to 7-2.
Doncic's big night continued his historic start to the season as he continues to do it all for the Lakers' offense:
Fans praised Doncic's performance, highlighted by his late-game three-pointer and impact on both ends of the floor without LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 10 rebounds, Marcus Smart finished with 17 points, and Bronny James notched two points and one rebound in five minutes.
Seven Spurs players reached double figures, including all five starters. Wembanyama finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists as San Antonio fell to 5-2.
In a tightly contested matchup, Doncic led the Lakers into halftime with a 60–59 lead behind 22 first-half points. Wembanyama had seven points at the break for the Spurs.
The Spurs dominated a 37-point third quarter to take a 96–88 lead into the fourth. Down the stretch, Doncic hit a 25-foot step-back three-pointer to give the Lakers a 113–112 lead with just over 2:30 remaining.
Smart turned the ball over on an inbound play with just over a second left, giving the Spurs a chance. Julian Champagnie went to the free-throw line on a costly shooting foul by Jake LaRavia but missed his first attempt, allowing the Lakers to squeak by with the win.
The Spurs will play the first night of a back-to-back on Friday at home against the Houston Rockets, while the Lakers will begin a five-game road trip against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
