The San Antonio Spurs rolled into Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026, riding a wave of momentum that few teams in the Western Conference could match. With a 36-16 record and holding first place in the Southwest Division, the Spurs were not only among the top three teams in the West but also arguably the hottest squad in the league, having notched four consecutive victories before their clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers, on the other hand, faced the daunting challenge of hosting the surging Spurs while battling a slew of injuries to key players. Sitting at 32-20 and fifth in the conference, Los Angeles had just dropped a tough 119-110 decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before. That loss marked the Lakers’ sixth game in a grueling 10-day stretch, and their third in just four nights—a punishing schedule by any standard.
San Antonio’s recent schedule offered a stark contrast. The Spurs had enjoyed two full days off prior to tip-off, a luxury that allowed them to rest and regroup. That freshness, combined with their youthful energy and depth, was expected to be a major advantage against a Lakers team stretched thin and running on tired legs.
Injuries loomed large over the Lakers’ rotation. LeBron James, whose age-defying performances have long been the backbone of the franchise, was ruled out with a foot injury. Luka Dončić, the team’s leading scorer at 32.8 points per game and chief playmaker, was sidelined by a left hamstring strain. Austin Reaves (calf), Marcus Smart (ankle), and Adou Thiero (knee/MCL) were also unavailable, leaving the Lakers without several of their most reliable starters. Center DeAndre Ayton, averaging a robust 8.4 rebounds and shooting a league-best 67.6% from the field among Lakers regulars, was listed as questionable with knee soreness and would be a game-time decision. With so many stars out, the pressure shifted to Rui Hachimura—shooting an impressive 44.9% from beyond the arc—and Jarred Vanderbilt, a key interior defender and rebounder, to step up against the Spurs’ formidable frontcourt.
For the Spurs, the injury report was less dire. While they missed the services of Lindy Waters III (knee hyperextension), David Jones Garcia (season-ending ankle surgery), and two-way player Harrison Ingram, their core rotation remained intact. That meant another start for Victor Wembanyama, the French phenom averaging 23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Wembanyama’s impact on both ends of the floor has been undeniable, and his matchup against the depleted Lakers frontcourt was a focal point of pregame chatter. Stephon Castle, fresh off a show-stopping 40-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist, and 3-steal performance in the Spurs’ 138-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, was expected to continue his breakout campaign. Keldon Johnson, shooting a blistering 55.2% from the field and nearly 39% from three, provided another reliable scoring option, while Julian Champagnie’s 85% free-throw shooting and perimeter defense rounded out a well-balanced starting five.
The season series between these two storied franchises had already produced plenty of drama. The Lakers had taken the first meeting 118-116 back in November, with Dončić pouring in 35 points. But the Spurs responded emphatically, winning the next two matchups by double digits—132-119 in December and a commanding 107-91 rout on January 7, in which they dominated the paint and held the Lakers to just 40% shooting from the field and 23% from deep. As of February 10, San Antonio led the season series 2-1 and had covered the spread in six of their last ten contests against Los Angeles.
Statistically, the Spurs entered the game with clear advantages in rebounding (46.6 per game to the Lakers’ 41.2) and shot blocking (5.13 to 4.06), while the Lakers boasted a slight edge in field goal percentage (49.91% to 47.49%) and steals (8.21 to 7.65). San Antonio’s depth and rim protection were expected to pose significant problems for a Lakers squad lacking its primary scorers and playmakers.
Betting markets reflected the prevailing sentiment: the Spurs were heavy favorites, with the spread ranging from -9.5 to -13.5 depending on the sportsbook and a moneyline of -350 or shorter. The over/under hovered around 226.5 points, with many analysts predicting the under would hit, given the Lakers’ offensive limitations and the Spurs’ recent defensive prowess. In fact, the under had cashed in seven of San Antonio’s last ten games and six of the Lakers’ last ten as well.
“The schedules alone give too much of an edge to the San Antonio Spurs,” noted one analyst from Covers.com, pointing to the Lakers’ fatigue and the Spurs’ fresher legs. “Expect Los Angeles to show its exhaustion throughout.” Another expert from SportsbookWire.com observed, “The Spurs will win and cover here as -350 favorites, especially if Dončić is still out, but they are not worth the risk of betting on as such heavy favorites here. Pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.”
With LeBron James having scored under 22.5 points in six of his last seven outings and Dončić unavailable, the Lakers’ offensive firepower was in serious question. The Spurs, meanwhile, were projected to have multiple players in double figures, with Wembanyama expected to clear 22.5 points and Castle continuing his strong run.
As tip-off approached, the atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena was electric, but the reality was clear: the Lakers faced an uphill battle against a Spurs team firing on all cylinders. San Antonio’s combination of youth, depth, and health, plus their ability to control the boards and protect the rim, put them in the driver’s seat against a Los Angeles squad missing its biggest stars.
While the outcome was still to be decided as the game tipped off, the narrative was set. Could the Lakers’ supporting cast rally in the face of adversity, or would the Spurs’ relentless pace and interior dominance prove too much for the depleted home team? NBA fans across the country tuned in to see if San Antonio’s surge would continue and whether the Lakers could defy the odds on their home court.
With the action underway and both teams battling for crucial playoff positioning, all eyes were on the hardwood in Los Angeles. The Western Conference race remains as unpredictable as ever, but on this night, it was the Spurs who looked poised to make the loudest statement.