Wembanyama fouls out as Lakers edge Spurs 118-116 in LA

The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 118-116 on November 5, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in a tightly contested regular season battle, as Victor Wembanyama was ultimately disqualified by foul trouble and Luka Dončić delivered a dominant performance to lift the home side past a resilient San Antonio squad.

A tight contest that slipped away in the final minutes

San Antonio came out competitive on the road, matching the Lakers’ intensity through the first half. The Spurs’ offense spread the load effectively, with five players finishing in double figures, but Los Angeles used Dončić’s playmaking to consistently generate high-value looks. The Slovenian star orchestrated the Lakers’ halfcourt offense with precision, already accumulating assists at an alarming rate as the first half came to a close.

The third quarter saw momentum swing back and forth, with Wembanyama doing damage in the mid-range and at the free-throw line — he would ultimately go 9-of-11 from the stripe — while Deandre Ayton provided a reliable inside presence for Los Angeles, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds on highly efficient 9-of-13 shooting.

The fourth quarter proved decisive. With the French phenom hampered by foul trouble, the Spurs’ defensive structure around the paint eroded. Dončić exploited every opening, closing the game with 35 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. San Antonio had multiple chances to steal the win, but a late-game near-collapse from the Lakers was ultimately not enough for the visitors to complete the comeback.

Dončić at the line, Wemby sidelined: the fouls that decided it

The pivotal sequence of the night came as Victor Wembanyama, protecting the rim with his characteristic intensity, picked up his disqualifying foul in the game’s final stretch. Without the n°1 pick of the 2023 draft patrolling the paint, the Lakers’ path to the basket opened up. Dončić converted 13-of-17 free-throw attempts on the night, a reflection of how relentlessly San Antonio was forced to foul to prevent easy scores. Marcus Smart added 17 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the line, compounding the Spurs’ foul woes. According to ESPN, the Lakers’ double-team strategy on the Spurs’ young star limited his effectiveness from the field significantly.

Wembanyama’s night: 19 points, foul trouble clouds a solid line

Despite the disqualification, the pivot des Spurs still produced. In 33 minutes, he totaled 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, shooting 5-of-14 from the field but showcasing his elite free-throw ability. The double-teams clearly affected his rhythm on offense, limiting his look opportunities throughout the game.

A balanced Spurs attack that wasn’t quite enough

San Antonio’s depth was on display:

• Stephon Castle: 16 pts, 8 ast, 3 stl — a standout two-way performance
• Jeremy Sochan: 16 pts on 6-of-7 shooting, highly efficient off the bench
• Devin Vassell: 15 pts, 4 ast
• Harrison Barnes: 14 pts, 4-of-6 from three

Five Spurs in double figures against a Western Conference rival on the road is an encouraging sign, but the inability to protect the lead without their anchor proved fatal.

Western Conference implications

With the 118-116 defeat, the Spurs drop this early-season West matchup, and the New York Times noted the Lakers used the result to move ahead of San Antonio in the standings. Los Angeles had entered the game riding a four-game winning streak, and extended their strong start to the year.

What’s next for San Antonio

The Spurs will need to address their foul management around Wembanyama going forward — disqualifying their franchise cornerstone in close games is simply not a sustainable pattern. San Antonio returns home for their next regular season outing with a chance to bounce back and reaffirm their early-season credentials in a loaded Western Conference.