Lakers (17–6) vs. Spurs (16–7) | NBA Cup Quarterfinals
Where to Watch and What Time
📅 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 10
⏰ Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. PST
📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif
📺 TV: Prime Video, Spectrum SportsNet
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
It’s NBA Cup time and the Lakers are on the quest to become two-time NBA Cup champions with their opening round faceoff and second matchup this season against the San Antonio Spurs.
Los Angeles is coming off a statement 112-108 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday behind LeBron James’ best game of the season (29 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and another 30-point Luka Dončić showing.
The Lakers (17-6) got the best of the Spurs (16-7) in their first matchup, a two-point win without Austin Reaves and James in the starting lineup back in early Nov. This time, the Lakers will have their stars available, but the Spurs will be without Victor Wembanyama for the 12th straight game due to a calf injury.
A win over the Spurs on Wednesday would advance the Lakers to the semifinals on Saturday (6 p.m.), where they would face the winners of Oklahoma City versus Phoenix, who play before the Lakers/Spurs.
The East side of the NBA Cup already has its quarterfinal matchups, with the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, who won their quarterfinal games on Tuesday.
The Opponent and their Top Dogs
The Spurs’ faceoff in L.A. will be their eighth road game in the last nine games. They are 5-3 in that span with a 7-5 overall record on the road. San Antonio is coming off a three-point win over the Pelicans on Monday that had 14-year vet Harrison Barnes lead the group with a team-high 24 points.
Wembanyama’s absence will give Deandre Ayton and the Lakers an even better edge, as coach JJ Redick mentioned how difficult it is to game-plan against the 21-year-old Frenchman. He’s averaged 26.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks while shooting 50% from the field in 12 games.
De’Aaron Fox, who was sidelined in San Antonio’s first game against the Lakers, has been the Spurs’ second-best option since making his return in Nov. In 15 games, Fox has led the team in scoring in eight of those, averaging 24.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting a career-high 37.9% from 3-point range.
San Antonio’s No. 2 overall draft pick, Dylan Harper, has been a spark plug off the bench this year, coming off a career-high 22 points against New Orleans. The rookie has averaged 13.5 points in 13 games this season, ranking fifth among rookies.
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Spurs have the seventh-highest-rated offense in the NBA and average the seventh-most points per game. Here are some notable rankings of where they sit among the league.
6th in FG% per contest (48.6%)
13th in 3P% (36.6%)
7th in second chance points (16.6 per contest)
6th in true shooting percentage (60%)
3rd lowest in opponents’ points allowed off turnovers (16.6)
2nd lowest in opponents’ fast break points allowed (11.8)
Maxi Kleber was the only player on the Lakers’ injury report for Wednesday. Marcus Smart will be making his return after a four-game absence.
“To be back reintroduced to it can definitely, I guess you can say, had me be a reborn person. Like a little kid on the first day of school again,” Smart said after Tuesday’s practice.
Victor Wembanyama (calf): Out
Carter Bryant (illness): questionable
Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring): Out
Harrison Ingram (two-way): Day-to-day
The Lakers will rock their purple Statement threads at home, while the Spurs will wear their white Icon Association unis.
After the next seven days, when the NBA Cup is over, the Lakers will go on another three-game road trip facing Utah, the Clippers, and then Phoenix.