The Frost Bank Center in San Antonio was buzzing with anticipation on January 7, 2026, as the NBA’s past, present, and future collided in a much-hyped showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. Fans tuning in from around the country had no shortage of streaming options, with ESPN, Sportsnet LA, and FanDuel Sports Network Southwest all broadcasting the action live, while cord-cutters could take advantage of free trials on platforms like FuboTV and DIRECTV. But it was the drama on the court that truly captured the spotlight, as both teams entered the contest with impressive records and star power to spare.
The Lakers, riding high at 23-11 before tip-off and holding the top spot in the Pacific Division, were looking to extend their recent run of success, having won four of their last five games. However, they faced the daunting task of taking on the surging Spurs, who boasted a 25-11 record and led the Southwest Division by 1.5 games. The stakes were high, with both teams eager to make a statement as the Western Conference race heated up.
But Los Angeles was dealt a heavy blow before the game even began. LeBron James, the 41-year-old NBA legend, was sidelined due to right sciatica and left foot arthritis, sitting out the second night of a back-to-back after scoring 30 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans just the evening prior. He wasn’t the only key absence: Austin Reaves, who had been averaging a career-high 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds, remained out with a Grade 2 Gastrocnemius strain, and Rui Hachimura was also unavailable. That’s an average of 61 points missing from the Lakers’ lineup—a mountain for any team to climb.
Enter Luka Doncic. The Slovenian superstar, who’s been nothing short of sensational this season, once again took center stage for the Lakers. Doncic averaged a league-leading 33.5 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.9 rebounds coming into the matchup, and he didn’t disappoint. Shouldering nearly all the ball-handling duties, Doncic delivered a jaw-dropping triple-double: 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 38 minutes and 20 seconds of action. He either scored or assisted 14 of the Lakers’ 16 first-half baskets, keeping his shorthanded squad within striking distance as they trailed by just five at halftime.
Doncic’s leadership was on full display. As Spurs defenders blitzed him with double-teams, he grabbed the whiteboard during a timeout and mapped out plays for his teammates—an unusual but telling sign of his growing influence in the locker room. “Tonight was probably the best [leadership] I’ve seen from him as a Laker,” said guard Gabe Vincent, who returned from a back injury to contribute six points and two assists in 18 minutes. Lakers coach JJ Redick echoed the sentiment: “He had the requisite disposition of leadership tonight. His body language, his confidence, he gave his teammates confidence.”
But the Lakers’ supporting cast, forced into larger roles, struggled to match the Spurs’ energy and execution. Jake LaRavia, starting his fifth consecutive game, chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, while Jaxson Hayes added 10 points and seven boards off the bench. Yet, the Lakers’ offense sputtered, especially from long range. They managed just 9 of 39 from beyond the arc, with Doncic himself going 2 of 9. Without James’ steadying presence—he’d averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds for the season—the team’s offense lacked its usual rhythm and flow.
On the other side, the Spurs continued to defy expectations, improving to 26-11 and cementing their status as one of the league’s most balanced squads. Coach Mitch Johnson’s group features an NBA-best eight players averaging double figures, and on this night it was Keldon Johnson who stole the show. Coming off the bench, Johnson poured in 27 points, further solidifying his case for Sixth Man of the Year honors and moving past Marco Belinelli for fifth place on the Spurs’ all-time bench scoring list with 2,275 career points.
Victor Wembanyama, the third-year phenom and reigning Rookie of the Year, also came off the bench as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury. In just his second game since returning, Wembanyama contributed a double-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks, all while playing under a strict 26-minute limit. “The one thing that we've said and I feel very strongly about is I want him to play a natural flow of minutes,” coach Johnson explained. “I don't want him to sit out for a quarter game play. That's not natural. I don't think fair to him.”
The Spurs’ offense wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders, particularly from deep—they hit just 4 of 25 three-point attempts, with Jeremy Sochan and Johnson accounting for all four makes. But their defense was stifling, holding the Lakers to a season-low 91 points and improving to 4-0 when keeping opponents under 100. The Spurs’ 3-point struggles were mirrored by the Lakers, making this a grind-it-out affair rather than a shootout. Still, the home team’s depth and defensive tenacity ultimately carried the day.
For the Lakers, the loss dropped them to 23-12, snapping their recent surge and underscoring the challenges of playing without their full complement of stars. Coach Redick acknowledged the difficulties of managing James’ health, especially with a packed January schedule that includes multiple back-to-backs and ten of sixteen games on the road. James, who has missed 17 games this season, is now one game away from being ineligible for postseason awards, putting his historic streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA honors in jeopardy.
Despite the defeat, there were flashes of promise for Los Angeles. The resilience of Doncic, the contributions from role players like LaRavia and Hayes, and the eventual return of James, Reaves, and Hachimura give the Lakers hope for a brighter, healthier future. “At some point you assume you’re gonna be at full health,” Redick said. “And I think we’re gonna eventually be a great basketball team.”
As for the Spurs, their balanced attack and emerging bench strength continue to turn heads around the league. With Wembanyama regaining form and Johnson embracing his sixth man role, San Antonio looks poised to remain a force in the Western Conference. The win at Frost Bank Center not only bolstered their home record to 13-5 but also sent a clear message: this young Spurs squad is no fluke.
With the season heating up and both teams eyeing deep playoff runs, fans can expect more fireworks the next time these two Western Conference contenders meet. For now, the Spurs’ 107-91 victory stands as a testament to their depth, discipline, and the growing legend of Victor Wembanyama and Keldon Johnson. The Lakers, meanwhile, will look to regroup and get healthy, knowing their championship aspirations are far from extinguished.
