Lakers Overwhelmed by Spurs as Wembanyama Erupts, Short-Handed L.A. Struggles Across the Board
Coming off a tough loss to the defending champion Thunder, the Lakers didn’t get much time to regroup. Less than 24 hours later, they were back on the court against the red-hot San Antonio Spurs - a team sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings - and the challenge only grew steeper with a depleted roster.
Before the ball even tipped, the Lakers were already behind the 8-ball. Starters Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton were all ruled out, along with veteran guard Marcus Smart. That left Los Angeles with a patchwork lineup and a mountain to climb against a Spurs squad that’s been firing on all cylinders - especially with Victor Wembanyama playing like a man possessed.
And Wemby wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s one of the most dominant young players in the league. He exploded for 25 points in the first quarter alone, hitting 8-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep.
The Lakers had no answer. San Antonio shot a blistering 66.7% in the opening frame and led 47-30 after just 12 minutes.
The pain didn’t stop there. By halftime, the Spurs had piled up a franchise-record 84 points - the most the Lakers have ever allowed in a half - and led by 29.
The final score, 136-108, tells you everything you need to know. This wasn’t a contest; it was a clinic.
Still, the game offered a chance to evaluate some of the Lakers’ younger and lesser-used pieces. Here’s a breakdown of how they fared:
Jake LaRavia: B-
LaRavia showed some offensive promise in limited minutes, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. But foul trouble derailed what could’ve been a more productive night.
He picked up his fourth foul early in the second quarter and fouled out midway through the third. The Lakers let him play through it, which speaks to the developmental nature of this game, but it also meant his impact was short-lived.
Rui Hachimura: D
This was a game tailor-made for Hachimura to step into a bigger role, but the aggression just wasn’t there. He shot 3-of-12 from the floor and finished with only six points.
Add in four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, and it’s clear he was active - but the efficiency wasn’t there. In a game where someone needed to step up, Hachimura couldn’t find his rhythm.
Jaxson Hayes: B
Hayes brought energy and efficiency in his 17 minutes, scoring 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting and dishing out three assists. But his presence on the boards was underwhelming - just four rebounds - and he didn’t register a block. With the Lakers getting beaten 45-34 on the glass and surrendering 18 second-chance points, that lack of interior presence was felt.
Luke Kennard: A
Inserted into the starting lineup, Kennard delivered a rock-solid performance. He scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and added five assists to just one turnover.
While he hit only one of his three attempts from deep, his ability to connect plays and keep the offense flowing was a bright spot in an otherwise one-sided affair. Kennard’s high-IQ, unselfish game stood out.
Kobe Bufkin: D
Bufkin’s second stint with the Lakers got off to a rocky start. The rookie guard struggled to find a rhythm, going 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-5 from three.
He finished with seven points, but also committed three turnovers in 24 minutes. There were flashes - a steal here, a decent assist there - but overall, it was a tough night.
Maxi Kleber: B-
Kleber was efficient in his 13 minutes, hitting both of his shots and adding three rebounds and a steal. It wasn’t a huge sample, but he made the most of his time on the floor.
Jarred Vanderbilt: C+/B-
Vanderbilt gave the Lakers 16 minutes of solid, if unspectacular, play. He scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds and two assists. He’s typically a defensive tone-setter, but with Wembanyama cooking early, there wasn’t much anyone could do to slow the tide.
Nick Smith Jr.: C+
Smith got a rare look and made the most of his opportunity in spurts. He scored six points on 3-of-8 shooting and chipped in two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 17 minutes. While the efficiency wasn’t there, the effort was.
Drew Timme: A-
Timme got his first meaningful run of February and made it count. He scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep.
He added two rebounds and showed off his soft touch around the rim and surprising range. It’s the kind of performance that should earn him another look in the rotation.
Dalton Knecht: B
Knecht made the most of his 16 minutes, scoring nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbing five boards. He also handed out an assist. It wasn’t flashy, but it was solid - and for a guy who hasn’t seen much floor time lately, that’s a step in the right direction.
Bronny James: A-
This was easily Bronny’s best performance of the season. The rookie played 25 minutes and looked increasingly confident as the game went on.
He finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three, and added six assists, three rebounds, and a block. His alley-oop dime to Adou Thiero was a highlight-reel moment and a glimpse into the kind of playmaking he can bring.
Adou Thiero & Chris Mañon: Incomplete
Thiero made his return from an MCL sprain and logged 10 minutes. He made the most of them, throwing down an alley-oop dunk and converting the and-one. Mañon played eight minutes, contributing two points, a rebound, an assist, and a steal.
Final Word
This wasn’t a game the Lakers were expected to win, not with so many key players sidelined. But it did offer a window into the depth of the roster - and for a few young players, a chance to show they belong. Wembanyama’s eruption made it a long night, but for Bronny James, Drew Timme, and Luke Kennard, there were real positives to build on.
The loss stings, no doubt. But in a season where development matters just as much as wins, nights like this can still move the needle.