Superstars LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama will face off for the first time this season when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Friday in an NBA Cup Western Conference Group B game.
This matchup marks the first of four group-stage games for both Los Angeles and San Antonio. By December 3, both teams will have also faced Phoenix, Utah, and Oklahoma City.
Friday’s game is also the first of a back-to-back for each team. James and the Lakers will play at New Orleans on Saturday, while Wembanyama and the Spurs head north to Dallas for an in-state showdown against the Mavericks.
Los Angeles arrives in the Alamo City riding a three-game winning streak, following Wednesday’s 128-123 home victory over Memphis. James recorded 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists against the Grizzlies, becoming the oldest player in league history to achieve three consecutive triple-doubles.
Anthony Davis contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds, Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht each scored 19 points, and Austin Reaves added 18 points for the Lakers. Knecht made all five of his 3-point attempts, setting a career-high in points, while Reaves capped his performance with a clutch 3-pointer with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are closing out a five-game homestand, having won three of their last four games. San Antonio outlasted Washington 139-130 on Wednesday, led by second-year star Wembanyama’s career-high 50 points.
Wembanyama shot 18-of-29 from the floor and made a career-high eight 3-pointers, becoming the only Spurs player to make at least six shots from beyond the arc in three consecutive contests.
Devin Vassell added 17 points, while Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle, and Blake Wesley each scored 10 points for San Antonio.
Chris Paul dished out 11 assists as the Spurs held off a late rally from Washington, who had cut a 21-point deficit to five in the final minute. The win marked just the second time this year that San Antonio secured consecutive victories, bringing the Spurs to a .500 record after 12 games.
The Spurs and Lakers will meet three more times this season: on November 27 in San Antonio and then on January 11 and 13 in Los Angeles.
