JJ Redick laments LA’s shortcomings after NBA Cup loss to Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers‘ first defeat in NBA Cup it couldn’t have come at a worse time as they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the San Antonio Spurs, 132-119, on Wednesday.
The Spurs silenced Cripto.com Arena with a masterclass against the Lakers, who swept their four group stage assignments.
The purple and gold tried to mount a rally multiple times, but the silver and black had an answer each time.
After the game, the Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted that their losses were due to known errors.
“We were consistently exposed in the same things,” Redick said, as quoted by Lakers reporter Jovan Buha.
The Lakers looked weak on defense, especially in the backcourt, as Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper had a field day while getting buckets.
Castle finished with a game-high 30 points, including 21 in the second half, to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Fox added 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Harper scored 13 points in 20 minutes off the bench. The three guards combined to make 55.8% of their field goals.
The Lakers conceded 16 points off turnovers and gave up 36 free throws to the Spurs, who got 29 points from the charity stripe. Los Angeles also allowed 27 rushing points.
The Lakers, who got 35 points from Luka Doncic, fell to 17-6, losing for just the third time in 12 games.
For the second time in a row in the NBA Cup, The Lakers used their regular court instead of their alternate course for the tournament in the season after problems with the slippery surface.
The Spurs will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas.
2025-12-11 06:15:00
