The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly secured a 118–116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, despite a near-costly error by veteran guard Marcus Smart. The tense finish left fans holding their breath as Smart’s late-game mistake almost spoiled the team’s spirited comeback.
With just over a second remaining and the Lakers leading by two, Smart attempted to inbound the ball to Rui Hachimura but accidentally stepped on the baseline, resulting in a turnover. That gave the Spurs a final chance to tie or win the game.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, Julian Champagne missed at the free throw line with only 0.2 seconds left, allowing the Lakers to hold on for the victory.
“I take full ownership of it,” Smart said. “They are going to joke with me. They are going to let me hear about it. But it will never happen again.”
“As a 12-year vet, I can’t make that mistake,” he added.
Despite the blunder, Smart’s willingness to accept fault demonstrated his leadership and maturity, preventing the incident from overshadowing the team’s overall effort.
The Lakers overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit, largely thanks to Luka Doncic’s standout performance. He scored 35 points and showcased composure under pressure to guide Los Angeles to victory.
Marcus Smart’s late-game error nearly cost the Lakers their win over the Spurs, but his accountability and Luka Doncic’s heroics sealed a narrow 118–116 triumph.