News Lakers vs. Spurs NBA Cup: Wembanyama out; Marcus Smart in

The San Antonio Spurs will face their quarterfinal matchup in the NBA Cup against the Los Angeles Lakers without their main reference: Victor Wembanyama. The young French star continues to be out due to a left calf strain, an injury he has been dealing with since November 14, when they faced the Golden State Warriors. Since then, he has missed eleven games. Nevertheless, the team has responded strongly, securing eight victories during this period, including two tournament wins that ensured their spot in the elimination round.

In his third season, Wembanyama is posting his best numbers as a professional: 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, leading the league in blocks with 3.6 per night. For the rest of the season, he can only afford to miss five more games if he aims to reach the minimum of 65 required to be eligible for individual awards.

While the Spurs dealt with the absence of their franchise player, the Lakers received positive news. Marcus Smart got the green light to return to training after being sidelined for two weeks due to back discomfort. The veteran guard, absent in the last six games, expressed feeling good and hopes to participate in the upcoming match. Smart, who arrived in the summer as a free agent, averages 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals, contributing his typical defensive intensity.

The Los Angeles team also prepared for the possibility of Wembanyama returning, although he will ultimately not be on the court. Deandre Ayton, responsible for his defensive matchup, explained that their focus was on disrupting the center on each play, aiming to limit his impact on both ends of the court. In the previous clash on November 5, the Lakers managed to triumph 118-116 and contain the Frenchman to 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 turnovers before fouling out.

Since that game, San Antonio has welcomed back De’Aaron Fox, whose return has been crucial for the team's recent success: 10 wins in the last 15 games, with the point guard averaging 24.3 points and 6.5 assists. Lakers coach, JJ Redick, highlighted the challenge of slowing down the dynamic playmaker, also emphasizing the threat posed by Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell, two players who bring mobility, aggressiveness, and a constant offensive presence.

High-Stakes Semifinal before Las Vegas

For the Lakers, who completed a flawless group stage with a 4-0 record, the game is direct elimination: victory means advancing to Las Vegas for the Saturday semifinals and keeping alive the dream of the championship, along with the $530,000 incentive per player awarded by the tournament. Defeat would result in exiting the tournament, settling for $53,000.

Ayton emphasized the special atmosphere of the NBA Cup: “For fans, it's spectacular, with a March Madness vibe, and we all come to compete and put on a show.” Regarding L.A.'s aspirations to win their second title in the tournament's three editions, the center was straightforward: “Considering where we are now, why not us?”.

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