Lead: On Nov. 5, 2025 in Los Angeles, the Lakers overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 118-116. Luka Doncic paced the comeback with 35 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds while the Lakers closed on a 21-10 run. The game ended after a chaotic closing sequence in which Kelly Olynyk’s putback was followed by an inbound turnover and a missed free throw at the buzzer. The victory extended Los Angeles’ win streak to five games and halted San Antonio’s 5-0 start slide to two straight defeats.
Key takeaways
- Luka Doncic finished with 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds and five steals, leading the Lakers to a 118-116 victory.
- Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles; the Lakers outrebounded San Antonio 57-46 and committed only 12 turnovers to the Spurs’ 19.
- The Lakers closed the final period on a 21-10 run after trailing 106-97 with just over seven minutes remaining.
- Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and eight rebounds but fouled out with 1:39 left, limiting San Antonio in the decisive moments.
- San Antonio made 13 of 33 three-pointers (39.4%) while the Lakers were 10 of 31 (32.3%); free throw attempts favored Los Angeles 44-40.
- A chaotic finish included Kelly Olynyk’s late putback, an inbound turnover by Marcus Smart and Julian Champagnie missing a front-end free throw with a second free attempt at the buzzer.
- Austin Reaves missed his second straight game with a hamstring issue; Doncic returned after an absence Monday at Portland.
Background
The matchup pitted an early-season Spurs club that began 5-0 against a Lakers team building momentum under a hot stretch of play. San Antonio entered the game with strong perimeter shooting and a deep rotation built around Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan. Los Angeles relied on its size and the playmaking of Doncic and Deandre Ayton, with role players such as Rui Hachimura and Kelly Olynyk contributing key minutes when called upon.
Both teams were undermanned and the contest was foul‑filled, producing frequent trips to the line and several fourth‑quarter disqualifications. The Spurs lost Wembanyama to his sixth foul late in the fourth and also saw Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan pick up disqualifying fouls in the final period. The Lakers have emphasized defensive adjustments and rebounding in recent games, planting the seeds for their late-game surge.
Main event
San Antonio controlled stretches of the first three quarters, using aggressive perimeter shooting and offensive rebounds to build leads. The Spurs led 106-97 with a little more than seven minutes left, but Los Angeles then delivered a decisive 21-10 run. During that span the Lakers limited San Antonio to extended droughts, forced turnovers and converted transition chances to erase the deficit.
Doncic supplied several clutch plays in the fourth — including an eight-point stretch and a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:31 remaining that put Los Angeles in front. Deandre Ayton was a steady inside presence throughout the rally, finishing with a double-double and key putbacks. Victor Wembanyama contributed 19 points and drew frequent defensive attention before fouling out with 1:39 left, a turning point that deprived the Spurs of a primary rim defender late.
The finish was frenetic: Kelly Olynyk grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a putback in the closing seconds, but the Spurs failed to secure a legal inbounds play when Marcus Smart committed an inbound violation. Julian Champagnie then was fouled attempting to tip the inbound pass, missed the front end of a one-and-one and left no one to convert the final rebound as the buzzer sounded.
Analysis & implications
The win illustrates the Lakers’ ability to manufacture offense late through Doncic’s playmaking and Ayton’s interior scoring. Even on a 9-for-27 shooting night, Doncic’s all‑around impact (assists, rebounds, steals) was decisive; he routinely created second‑chance opportunities and high‑value looks for teammates. Los Angeles’ defensive stretch that held San Antonio scoreless for nearly four and a half minutes in the fourth was the game’s critical phase.
For the Spurs, reliance on perimeter shooting and secondary scoring left them vulnerable when Wembanyama hit foul trouble. San Antonio’s three disqualifications in the fourth limited rotation flexibility and late-game matchups. The Spurs must balance protecting their star from foul trouble while maintaining the physicality that produces offensive rebounds and free throws.
Roster availability will be a near-term storyline: Austin Reaves’ hamstring absence reduces perimeter depth for the Lakers, but the team’s rebounding edge and low turnover total were compensating factors. San Antonio, after a 5-0 start, now faces questions about depth and late-game execution as it prepares to host Houston on Friday.
Comparison & data
| Stat | Spurs | Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 116 | 118 |
| Field goals | 36-74 (48.6%) | 37-83 (44.6%) |
| 3-pointers | 13-33 (39.4%) | 10-31 (32.3%) |
| Free throws | 31-40 (77.5%) | 34-44 (77.3%) |
| Rebounds (Tot) | 46 | 57 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 12 |
The box score highlights contrasting strengths: San Antonio shot better overall and from deep, while Los Angeles dominated the glass (57-46) and protected the ball more effectively. Those rebounding and turnover edges allowed the Lakers to generate extra possessions and fuel the late run. Special teams (free throw pace and offensive rebound rates) will be areas each staff reviews before upcoming matchups.
Reactions & quotes
“Luka Doncic finished with 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds and five steals.”
Associated Press (game recap)
“The Lakers closed the game on a 21-10 run to erase a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.”
Associated Press (game recap)
Unconfirmed
- Extent of Austin Reaves’ hamstring issue and an official timetable for his return remain uncertain pending team medical updates.
- No public confirmation has been posted about any formal league review of the final inbound/play sequence beyond standard scorekeeper logs.
Bottom line
The Lakers demonstrated late-game resiliency, overcoming a multi-possession deficit through defensive streaks, rebounding dominance and Doncic’s multifaceted play. Los Angeles’ ability to limit turnovers and win the battle of the boards proved decisive despite a lower three-point percentage. For the Spurs, foul trouble to primary pieces in the fourth and missed free throws in the final sequence exposed depth and execution vulnerabilities.
Both teams move quickly from this contest: San Antonio hosts Houston on Friday while the Lakers travel to Atlanta on Saturday. How each club addresses foul management, bench contributions and short-term health will shape their next few games and influence early standings implications in a tightly clustered conference.