The Los Angeles Lakers survived, barely. What should have been a smooth, drama-free finish against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night turned into another classic “only the Lakers” moment.
Up by two possessions with under two seconds left, Los Angeles had the game locked. Victor Wembanyama had already fouled out and the Spurs had missed a pair of desperation 3s. All that stood between the Lakers and their fifth straight win was one clean inbound.
And then Marcus Smart happened. Trying to heave the ball the length of the court, Smart rushed it, and his foot slid over the line.