The Los Angeles Lakers fell 132-119 to the San Antonio Spurs in Wednesday’s NBA Cup matchup at crypto.com Arena, and Marcus Smart addressed his return from injury, the team’s struggles, and lessons from the defeat.
Smart, back in the lineup after weeks sidelined, said his body felt strong. “The back felt really good. Body felt good. I just wanted to bring a little spark for us,” he said, adding that he wished the outcome had been different.
The Lakers faced challenges against San Antonio’s transition speed and athleticism, and Smart acknowledged defensive issues. “We just got to refocus, got to recalibrate. Right now, we’re kind of groggy… we’re trying to find where we need to go,” he said.
Smart’s scoring off the bench stood out, as he tallied 26 points with eight three-pointers. Reflecting on his performance, he credited his preparation and persistence. “I just continue to work and… trust the work that I’m putting in. Tonight was a night for me and hopefully that starts a trend,” he said.
Bench production beyond Smart was limited, and he noted the need for more consistent contributions. “We just got to find our way within those parameters that we have and try to find those shots,” he said, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
San Antonio surged ahead with a 17-2 run spanning the first and second quarters, exploiting Lakers turnovers and transition lapses. “For one, I lack of communication… they got one of the fastest players in the league with Fox. We just didn’t do a good job of getting back,” Smart admitted.
He also discussed the challenge of adjusting to a bench role. “Just control what I can control… it’s tough not really knowing if you’re going to start or how many minutes you’ll play, but you got to make the best of your opportunities,” Smart said.
Smart stressed the need to prevent small mistakes from snowballing. “We’re going to have to really sit down with ourselves… figure out what we want to do. Are we going to lay down and get punked or fight back? I’m not the one to lay down,” he added.
Luka Doncic scored 35 points for the Lakers, while LeBron James finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 30 points, and De’Aaron Fox added 20 as San Antonio advanced to face defending champion Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals.
