The San Antonio Spurs secured a 132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at crypto.com Arena, advancing to the NBA Cup semifinals. Head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted his team’s composure during critical moments against the defending champions.
Johnson praised the Spurs’ response after LeBron James’ third-quarter dunk and late fourth-quarter pushes. “I thought our competitive response was good… you need to double down on game plan, execution, playing together, do more of the little things,” he said.
Stephon Castle led the team with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, displaying relentless attacking energy. Johnson commended Castle’s performance, saying, “He did a phenomenal job harnessing that relentless attacking energy and aggressiveness.”
The coach credited the trio of point guards for controlling the game pace. “They did a phenomenal job of pushing the pace… over time, the way we’re playing and capable with our depth and handlers, it plays to our strengths,” Johnson noted.
Keldon Johnson also earned recognition for his effort and team-first mentality. “He puts his body in harm’s way for the betterment of the team every game… he’s the heart and soul of the team,” Johnson said.
Johnson reflected on the preparation and day-to-day work of young players like Dylan Harper. “His understanding of what that prep takes… he’s got a good head start now, he’s got to put the work in to match all that talent,” the coach said.
Even with Victor Wembanyama absent for 12 games, the Spurs displayed depth and resilience. Johnson emphasized the team’s ability to adapt, saying, “Victor may be the biggest puzzle piece but he needs everybody else to complete the puzzle.”
Looking ahead to the semifinal against defending champion Oklahoma City, Johnson acknowledged the challenge. “They’re a great team… it’ll be a very tough game,” he said, highlighting the Spurs’ focus on maintaining pace, executing the game plan, and staying composed.
The Spurs jumped to an 18-point lead in the second quarter with a 17-2 run, as Castle and Harrison Barnes exploited the Lakers’ season-long perimeter defensive struggles. De’Aaron Fox added 20 points, while Keldon Johnson contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
San Antonio’s victory brings their record to 17-7, tied with the Lakers, while the defending NBA Cup champions now regroup to address defensive gaps and rotations for future contests.
