The Lakers' defensive woes and lack of depth were laid bare once more as they fell to the Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
In the lead-up to this crucial game, the Los Angeles Lakers had already endured two of their most defensively challenging games of the season. They narrowly escaped a high-scoring affair against the Toronto Raptors, thanks to a last-gasp 3-pointer by Rui Hachimura, assisted by the legendary LeBron James. However, the following night, a depleted Lakers squad conceded a season-high 132.6 points per 100 possessions in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
Head coach JJ Redick found some solace in the team's defensive performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, where Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and James all played. Despite the anticipated return of Marcus Smart, Redick knew the Lakers' defense would be tested by San Antonio's formidable guard trio: De'Aaron Fox, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and the highly touted Dylan Harper.
Redick emphasized the team's defensive principles: "The physicality, the shifts, and the closeouts are the foundation of our defense. If we're not executing these fundamentals, it becomes challenging to defend effectively."
The Lakers' struggles became evident against a Spurs team missing their center, Victor Wembanyama, for the 12th consecutive game. Seven Spurs players reached double digits in scoring, led by Castle's season-high 30 points, as they cruised to a 132-119 victory in Los Angeles. This marked the most points the Lakers had conceded all season, highlighting the persistent issues with their defense and bench depth.
Redick acknowledged the team's struggles: "There are numerous factors at play, but containing the ball is arguably the most challenging aspect for us at the moment."
Dončić led the scoring with 35 points, but he and Reaves each picked up five fouls, echoing the foul troubles from their previous encounter with the Spurs, where a combined 84 free throws were attempted. This time, Castle's and-one play early in the game set the tone for San Antonio's aggressive approach.
The Lakers' bench proved to be their undoing. Spurs reserve forward Keldon Johnson hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and when Dončić took a breather in the second quarter, Julian Champagnie stepped up with two more 3s, extending the Spurs' lead to 17 points. Champagnie's hot hand forced Redick to call a timeout after Lakers center Deandre Ayton was outplayed by the Spurs' Luke Kornet.
"We struggled to transition back on defense effectively," admitted Redick, as the Lakers conceded 27 fast-break points, their second-highest total of the season.
While Marcus Smart's 26-point performance, including a Lakers season-high eight 3s, provided a spark off the bench, the Spurs' reserves still outscored the Lakers' bench 48-31. Smart was the only Lakers reserve with multiple shot attempts, as the team's depth issues were laid bare.
And here's where it gets controversial: despite the Lakers' struggles, Dončić remains optimistic about the team's potential. He attributes the bench's league-low 24.5 points per game to a collective effort, expressing confidence in his teammates' abilities. But is this a case of blind optimism or a genuine belief in the team's capabilities? The Lakers' upcoming game against the Suns, who previously exposed their defensive weaknesses, will be a telling test. With Dončić already logging heavy minutes and James returning from a recent comeback, can the Lakers find the right balance and address their defensive concerns? The comments section awaits your insights!
