The Spurs did not tiptoe into Las Vegas. They kicked the door down.

San Antonio rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119 in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday night, locking up the final semifinal slot and a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was sharp, fast, and ruthless basketball from a Spurs group that has now won nine of its last 12 games, even while Victor Wembanyama remains sidelined.

Castle’s second-half surge changes everything

Stephon Castle was the engine. He finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, but the number that tells the story is 21 — his points after halftime. When the Lakers tried to make a push, Castle kept answering. He drove hard, hit timely jumpers, and found open teammates when help came.

He also controlled the tempo. The game sped up when the Spurs wanted it to, and slowed when they needed a smart touch. That kind of poise in a knockout game stands out.

“Castle looked calm in the chaos — that’s what stars do in big games.”

Depth, defense, and a decisive 17-2 run

The game swung in the second quarter. San Antonio ripped off a 17-2 run and ballooned the lead to 18. The key was perimeter defense. Close-outs were quick. Rotations were tight. The Lakers’ shooters were rushed, and the Spurs turned those misses into instant transition.

Depth was the other pillar. The Spurs’ bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves 48-31. Eight Spurs reached at least eight points, proof that this wasn’t a two-man show. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 20, pushing the pace and punishing gaps. Keldon Johnson added 17 and 8 rebounds, bringing strength on the glass and straight-line drives that kept the defense honest.

That balance forced the Lakers to pick a poison, and most choices hurt.

“San Antonio’s second unit didn’t just hold the line — they won the game inside the margins.”

Lakers’ stars produced, but the pace tilted Spurs’ way

This was not about effort from Los Angeles’ top names. Luka Doncic poured in 35 points with the usual shot-making. LeBron James posted a near triple-double — 19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists — and kept creating looks. Marcus Smart caught fire with a season-high 26, drilling eight threes that kept the Lakers within reach. Austin Reaves added 15 steady points.

Still, the rhythm favored San Antonio. Video commentary summed it up: the Lakers just couldn’t keep up with the speed of the Spurs. When the floor opened, San Antonio won the foot race. When the ball swung side to side, the Lakers’ defense arrived a beat late. That extra beat turned into threes, layups, and free throws.

Popovich’s group is growing, even without Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury, but he traveled with the team and was on hand. His presence matters — even from the bench — yet the bigger story is how the Spurs have adapted. They have won nine of their last 12, and they look connected.

Credit the coaching and buy-in. The game plan stressed perimeter pressure, fast decisions, and bench energy. That produced a tidal wave in the second quarter that the Lakers never fully escaped. Commentary around the broadcast even tipped the cap to the staff, highlighting how Keldon Johnson has kept pace with the league’s best wings and how the system keeps putting players in spots to succeed.

“If this is San Antonio without Wemby, imagine the ceiling when he’s back.”

How the box score tells the story

• Spurs: Stephon Castle 30 points (21 in second half), 10 rebounds, 6 assists
• Spurs: De’Aaron Fox 20 points
• Spurs: Keldon Johnson 17 points, 8 rebounds
• Bench: Spurs 48, Lakers 31
• Eight Spurs scored at least 8 points

• Lakers: Luka Doncic 35 points
• Lakers: LeBron James 19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists
• Lakers: Marcus Smart 26 points with eight made threes (season-high)
• Lakers: Austin Reaves 15 points

What this win means: OKC awaits in Las Vegas

With this result, San Antonio clinched the last spot in the NBA Cup semifinals, where Oklahoma City waits in Las Vegas. Gregg Popovich was clear after the win: the job is not done. The Spurs have built momentum and a style that translates — defend the arc, run on rebounds, share the ball, and trust the bench.

Las Vegas games often tilt to whoever controls pace and spacing. On this night, San Antonio mastered both. If they carry over that second-quarter edge, they will give the Thunder problems.

For the Lakers: regroup and refocus

The Lakers entered this quarterfinal unbeaten in group play and as the inaugural NBA Cup champions from 2023. This loss is just their third in 12 games, which speaks to how strong they have been. They now turn the page quickly with a trip to Phoenix next.

The path forward is clear: keep the stars humming, sharpen the perimeter defense, and find more steady minutes from the bench. The top has the firepower. The margins need tightening.

Bottom line

This was the Spurs’ night, front to back. They dictated pace, shared the load, and made the big push when it mattered. Castle led with calm and punch. Fox and Johnson gave the attack shape. The bench hit the Lakers where they were thin.

In a tournament built for quick turns and hot hands, San Antonio looked built for the moment. Now it’s on to Vegas. The Thunder are next. The Spurs look ready.