Game ID: 22400537
San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers
Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 32 33 29 31 125SAS 22 29 24 34 109
LAL vs SAS ScoutingLAL vs SAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 5 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 17 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 10 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 2 since 3/06, returns tonight: 6 min (52% of 11)
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/06, returns tonight: 13 min (127% of 10)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 35 min since (100% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 16 min since (91% of 17)
BACK Jemison III back 2/28 after 2, 15 min since (149% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Hayes 19 to 27 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/13 · 2 days' restOUT Hachimura missed 6 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 18 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 11 since 2/19, returns tonight: 12 min (77% of 16)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 20 min since (115% of 17)
BACK Milton back 3/02 after 3, 11 min since (101% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 9 min since (85% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Vincent 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 23 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/14 · back-to-backOUT James missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 7 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 19 since 1/30, returns tonight: 7 min (37% of 18)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 22 min since (126% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 12 min since (77% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 5 min since (45% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 12 min since (118% of 10)
NEW Vincent 21 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 8 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 4 since 3/08, returns tonight: 29 min (157% of 19)
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 25 min since (143% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 35 min over the last 3
NEW Knecht 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/17 · back-to-backOUT James missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 9 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 29 min since (157% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 26 min since (147% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Vincent 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 10 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 4 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 28 min since (152% of 19)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 11 min since (103% of 11)
NEW Vincent 21 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/20 · back-to-backOUT James missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 11 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 22 min (125% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 28 min (183% of 16)
OUT Len missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 17 min (165% of 10)
OUT Jemison III missed 5 since 3/13, returns tonight: 16 min (158% of 10)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 27 min since (145% of 19)
NEW Knecht 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 7 since 3/10, returns tonight: 31 min (89% of 35)
OUT Hachimura missed 12 since 2/28, returns tonight: 18 min (56% of 32)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 24 min since (130% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 15 min since (81% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 28 min since (183% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 17 min since (165% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Knecht 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 11 to 16 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restBACK James back 3/22 after 7, 31 min since (89% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 18 min since (56% of 32)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 25 min since (131% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/20 after 3, 22 min since (125% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (114% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Goodwin 17 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 3/10 · back-to-backOUT Bassey missed 7 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 8 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 9 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Bassey missed 10 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 11 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 12 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 17 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 13 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 18 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 14 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 18 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 15 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 19 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and Reaves at 25 a game. Without James (4 straight), Hachimura (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Fox at 23 and Vassell at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 115 a night to San Antonio's 130. Call it the Lakers 118, San Antonio 116, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/10 @ BKN 108-111 — LAL notes
LAL lost 108-111. LAL shot 44% (37 of 85) to BKN's 41%, 19 of 40 from three, and got to the line 19 times to BKN's 30. LAL turned it over 15 times to BKN's 7, and BKN turned those into 10 steals. Vincent led with 24 (8 of 12, 6 of 9 from three); Dončić added 22, Knecht 19. Q1 was theirs, 28-16, but the other 3 periods went 95-80 against them. They led by as many as 15. Reaves's -10 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ MIL 106-126 — LAL notes
LAL lost 106-126. LAL shot 44% (38 of 87) to MIL's 48%, 15 of 40 from three, and got to the line 18 times to MIL's 33. The glass went 38-48 against them. Dončić led with 45 (14 of 27, 7 of 13 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Reaves added 28, Knecht 10. Q4 was theirs, 24-24, but the other 3 periods went 102-82 against them. Goodwin's -17 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/14 @ DEN 126-131 — LAL notes
LAL lost 126-131. LAL took 20 more shots (105 to 85), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 47% to DEN's 52%, 15 of 40 from three, and got to the line 16 times to DEN's 38. Reaves led with 37 (13 of 26, 4 of 10 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Knecht added 32, Milton 16. Q1 was theirs, 40-32, but the other 3 periods went 99-86 against them. They led by as many as 11. Vanderbilt's -13 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/16 vs PHX 107-96 — LAL notes
LAL won 107-96. LAL shot 43% (35 of 81) to PHX's 39%, 14 of 39 from three, and went to the line 32 times to PHX's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 17. LAL turned it over 8 times to PHX's 14. The glass went 40-51 against them. Dončić led with 33 (8 of 20, 4 of 11 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Reaves added 28, Hayes 19. The hinge was Q1, 31-15: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/17 vs SAS 125-109 — LAL notes
LAL won 125-109. LAL shot 49% (44 of 90) to SAS's 47%, 19 of 48 from three, and went to the line 24 times to SAS's 14 — 18 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 9 times to SAS's 17. Reaves led with 30 (12 of 21, 5 of 13 from three); Dončić added 21, Goodwin 15. The hinge was Q1, 32-22: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Hayes was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
3/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without James (5 straight), Hachimura (10 straight), Reddish (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Strawther (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the turnovers, Denver giving it away 14 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it the Lakers 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
3/20 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and Reaves at 29 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without James (6 straight), Hachimura (11 straight), Reddish (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 24 and Lillard at 19 a game. Without Portis (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 114, Milwaukee 113, Milwaukee keeping it close.
3/22 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Reaves at 29 and Dončić at 28 a game. Without James (7 straight), Hachimura (12 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; White at 28 and Huerter at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ball (10 straight), Smith (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 116, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/24 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Banchero at 32 and Wagner at 21 a game. Without Anthony (2 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 26 a game. One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 107 a night to the Lakers' 115. Call it Orlando 112, the Lakers 108, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/10 vs DAL 129-133 — SAS notes
SAS lost 129-133. SAS shot 52% (49 of 94) to DAL's 53%, 17 of 41 from three, and got to the line 24 times to DAL's 30. Barnes led with 29 (12 of 14, 4 of 6 from three); Johnson added 28, Vassell 24. Q1 was theirs, 34-28, but the other 3 periods went 105-95 against them. Castle's -13 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/12 vs DAL 126-116 — SAS notes
SAS won 126-116. SAS shot 53% (50 of 94) to DAL's 56%, 11 of 35 from three. The glass went 47-31 for them. Fox led with 32 (12 of 25, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Sochan added 18, Johnson 18. The hinge was Q2, 44-34: SAS came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 2, and the lead reached 15. Fox was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/14 vs CHA 134-145 — SAS notes
SAS lost 134-145. SAS took 10 more shots (95 to 85), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 51% to CHA's 60%, 21 of 46 from three. SAS turned it over 13 times to CHA's 18. Castle led with 26 (10 of 17, 3 of 7 from three); Vassell added 22, Sochan 14. Q4 was theirs, 39-24, the deficit cut from 26 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 121-95 against them. Sochan's -19 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/15 vs NOP 119-115 — SAS notes
SAS won 119-115. SAS shot 46% (39 of 84) to NOP's 50%, 16 of 39 from three, and went to the line 33 times to NOP's 11 — 25 points from the stripe to their 11. SAS turned it over 10 times to NOP's 15. The glass went 37-52 against them. Vassell led with 22 (6 of 17, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Johnson added 19, Barnes 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-25: from level to 9 ahead. Champagnie was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/17 @ LAL 109-125 — SAS notes
SAS lost 109-125. SAS shot 47% (41 of 88) to LAL's 49%, 15 of 38 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAL's 24. SAS turned it over 17 times to LAL's 9, and LAL turned those into 13 steals. Castle led with 23 (8 of 19, 3 of 6 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Vassell added 17, Sochan 15. Q4 was theirs, 34-31, the deficit cut from 19 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 94-75 against them. Vassell's -15 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/19 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 127, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Vassell at 20 and Castle at 18 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 42 from three, 17 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Bridges at 23 a game. Without Brunson (5 straight), Tucker (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 103 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the line, where San Antonio takes 22 free throws a game to New York's 17. Call it New York 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/21 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Castle at 19 and Vassell at 17 a game. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 126, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Grimes at 33 and Dowtin Jr. at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Maxey (9 straight), Oubre Jr. (4 straight), Walker IV (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-13 and the arc, San Antonio at 41 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34. Call it San Antonio 121, Philadelphia 114.
3/23 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 20 and Quickley at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Barrett (3 straight), Rhoden (4 straight), Walter (7 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 21 free throws a game; Castle at 21 and Vassell at 18 a game. One day's rest.
So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 44 percent from three to Toronto's 36 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 17 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it Toronto 116, San Antonio 115, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/25 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 112, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Cunningham at 24 and Beasley at 14 a game. Without Smith (10 straight), Harper Jr. (22 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Castle at 19 and Vassell at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Detroit 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SASBB B. Biyombo
BW B. Wesley
CP C. Paul
DV D. Vassell
HB H. Barnes
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
KJ K. Johnson
SC S. Castle
SM S. Mamukelashvili
LALAR A. Reaves
BJ B. James
CK C. Koloko
DF D. Finney-Smith
DK D. Knecht
DO Doncic
GV G. Vincent
JG J. Goodwin
JH J. Hayes
JV J. Vanderbilt
LD L. Dončić
SM S. Milton
SAS/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Reaves scores 30 points, Doncic just misses triple-double in Lakers' 125-109 win over Spurs
LOS ANGELES -- — Austin Reaves scored 30 points and Luka Doncic had 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers ' 125-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
Dorian Finney-Smith added 15 points while hitting four 3-pointers for the Lakers, who extended their home winning streak to eight games with back-to-back victories over Phoenix and San Antonio following four consecutive losses on the road.
Stephon Castle had 23 points and Devin Vassell scored 15 of his 17 in the first half for the Spurs, who have lost five of seven.
While Doncic struggled through a 5-for-20 shooting performance, Reaves hit five 3-pointers and added seven rebounds and six assists to dominate a game rescheduled from Jan. 11 after wildfires devastated parts of Southern California.
Jarred Vanderbilt shoved San Antonio's Jeremy Sochan in the chest after Sochan threw the ball at Vanderbilt following a foul with 6:27 to play. Both reserves were ejected.
Bronny James played the final 2:30, and he hit a 3-pointer that set off a wild standing ovation from Lakers fans who had been chanting his name earlier.
Takeaways Spurs: Defense was a problem for the third game since De'Aaron Fox was shut down for the season. The Lakers made 48.9% of their shots, including 19 3-pointers.
Lakers: LeBron James missed his fifth straight game, but balanced scoring is keeping them competitive amid a brutal stretch of 20 games in five weeks.
Key moment Reaves scored nine points in 3 1/2 minutes while the Lakers took a 28-point lead in the third. San Antonio responded with a 15-0 run, but never got the deficit to single digits.
Key stat With James sidelined, Reaves has scored at least 28 points in four consecutive games. He only reached 28 points four times in the Lakers' first 63 games this season.
Up next The Spurs host the Knicks on Wednesday, and the Lakers host the Nuggets.