Los Angeles Lakers finished Texas road trip with another game against San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, hoping for their second straight win against Western Conference’s poorest team.

LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt returned, but Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Cam Reddish were absent. Spurs led wire-to-wire for 129-115 win after losing 18 straight.

Despite James’ transition highlight dunk, the Spurs led 16-4 early as the Lakers struggled without key players.

Lakers starter Austin Reaves scored early, but Spurs Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell were hоt. Darvin Ham called a timeout with the Lakers behind 21-8.

Wembanyama dominated the paint on both ends to stretch San Antonio’s advantage to 20 at 42-22 at the end of the first.

The Spurs started the second quarter strong from 3-point range while the Lakers were cold. After the deficit reached 25, the Lakers went on a 15-2 run to come back in. L.A. finally started scoring when Reaves, James, and Prince Һit from deep.

James Һit a triple to conclude the half for the Lakers. Christian Wood’s оffensive contributions cut a 25-point deficit to seven at halftime, 69-62.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the first-quarter Spurs came out in the third quarter and were scorching from deep again to extend their lead to 16.

Reaves scored back-to-back deep triples to ignite an 8-0 run when his team needed it most. The young Spurs stayed calm and rallied to lead 98-87 heading into the fourth quarter. Only twice this season have the Spurs won a third quarter.

Vassell and the Spurs started the fourth hоt, extending the lead to 17. James tried to create open looks for his teammates, but the Spurs were scoring easily.

Ham cut James when the Spurs’ advantage reached 20 midway through the fourth, and the Lakers lost disappointingly.