Victor Wembanyama Records 15th '5x5' In NBA History, Spurs Lose To Lakers 123-118

LeBron James had 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Anthony Davis had 28 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their seventh win in nine games, 123-118, over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.

Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his first road game against the Lakers. The French rookie sensation scored an impressive 16 points in the first quarter, but Davis responded to the challenge of his fellow No. 1 with impressive play in the next two quarters as the Lakers maintained their lead.

Davis sat out the entire fourth quarter of the second game in consecutive sets, and Jackson Hayes performed competently in his place against Wembanyama as the Lakers earned their 12th win in 18 games. San Antonio finished on a 17-5 run over the final 3 1/2 minutes to close the final margin significantly.

D’Angelo Russell had 22 points and six assists on his 28th birthday, while Rui Hachimura added 17 points for the Lakers, who have been unable to move higher than ninth in the Western Conference standings despite their surge in recent weeks. Los Angeles returned from the All-Star break with a loss to Golden State on Thursday.

But James came back strong after missing the Lakers’ last two games to rest his ankle, although he played in the All-Star Game in between.

Wembanyama took advantage of his first opportunity to play under the Lakers’ Wall of Championship banner and got off to a great start, scoring 13 points and three rebounds while drawing two fouls from Davis in the first six minutes of the game. He had 20 points at halftime, but after halftime he was only 2 of 6.

Malachi Branham scored 17 points and Jeremy Sochan had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who have lost three in a row and 10 of 11. They are 1-6 on their nine-game annual Rodeo road trip.

In these teams’ last meeting in December, San Antonio broke its franchise-record losing streak of 18 games.

next

Spurs: Sunday in Utah.

Lakers: Sunday in Phoenix.