The Immediate Significance of the 132 119 Spurs vs Lakers Quarterfinal Score on the Defending Champions’ Tournament Exit
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a major upset in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night, December 10, 2025, defeating the favored Los Angeles Lakers 132-119 at the Crypto.com Arena. The victory, secured despite the absence of star center Victor Wembanyama, was a testament to the Spurs' depth and strategic execution, propelling them to their first ever NBA Cup semifinal appearance in Las Vegas. The loss was a shocking blow to the Lakers, the tournament’s defending champions, who struggled to contain San Antonio’s balanced attack.
The immediate score and highlights from the quarterfinal showed San Antonio’s unexpected offensive burst. The Spurs entered the game as road underdogs, having won eight of their last 11 games without Wembanyama, but few expected them to dominate a full strength Lakers squad. Led by an electric performance from guard De’Aaron Fox, who controlled the tempo and finished with 31 points and 11 assists, the Spurs took control early. San Antonio’s hot three point shooting and efficient scoring helped them build a substantial lead, ultimately stunning the home crowd and the defending champions with a decisive 132-119 final score.
The strategic factor in the Spurs’ victory was their ability to collectively fill the immense void left by Wembanyama’s absence due to a calf strain. Players like Stephon Castle (24 points) and Devin Vassell (20 points) stepped up as primary scoring threats, preventing the Lakers from keying in on one player. On the defensive end, the Spurs successfully forced the Lakers’ star, Luka Dončić, into a tough shooting night, despite his near triple double effort. The Lakers also opted to play on their standard court rather than the special alternate Cup court due to previous issues with the surface, a strategic decision that ultimately did not prevent their elimination.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for the San Antonio Spurs is now a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals, where they will carry immense momentum and confidence into their matchup against the Orlando Magic. The victory over the Lakers is the most significant win of the young season and validates the team’s decision to prioritize Wembanyama’s long term health. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the unexpected elimination is a major disappointment, ending their run as the defending champions and raising questions about their ability to perform in high pressure, single elimination tournament games despite having Luka Dončić and a relatively healthy roster.