King Castle & Swipa da Fox Dismantle Lakers as Spurs Punch Ticket to Vegas
- Gabe Gomez
- Dec 11, 2025
- 3 min read
In a stunning display of depth and firepower, the San Antonio Spurs (17-7) eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers (17-7) from the NBA Cup, securing a 132-119 victory on Wednesday night. The win propels the Silver and Black to the semifinals in Las Vegas, where they will face the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder (24-1).
The latest episode of 210 Fast Break breaks down the "electric" atmosphere and the tactical masterclass that saw the Spurs dismantle a Lakers squad featuring LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
The "King Castle" : A Star is Born
While the national media focused on the star-studded Lakers lineup, it was Spurs sophomore Stephon Castle who stole the show. Returning from a 10-game absence (hip injury), Castle posted a season-high 30 points, proving he is the future of the franchise alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Stat Line: 30 Points, 10 Rebounds, 6 Assists
Efficiency: 10-of-14 FG, 3-of-6 3PT, 7-of-9 FT
Impact: Castle scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, spearheading the 3rd-quarter run that put the game out of reach.
The Swipa da Fox Factor & Spurs Depth
The podcast highlighted the seamless integration of De'Aaron Fox, who added 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Fox's speed in transition was a key differentiator, allowing the Spurs to exploit the Lakers' transition defense.
The Spurs' bench was another deciding factor, outscoring the Lakers' reserves 48-31. With 17 three-pointers made on 44.7% shooting, San Antonio’s perimeter attack overwhelmed Los Angeles.
Inside the Box Score: In-Depth Stats
A closer look at the official box score reveals the gritty details behind the Spurs' dominance, particularly in rebounding and efficiency:
Category | San Antonio Spurs | L.A. Lakers | Analysis |
Quarter Scoring | 39 | 31 | 34 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 32 | The Spurs won the first three quarters, building an insurmountable lead before coasting in the 4th. |
Rebounding | 57 (9 Off, 48 Def) | 43 (6 Off, 37 Def) | San Antonio dominated the glass with a +14 rebounding advantage, limiting the Lakers' second-chance opportunities. |
Bench Scoring | 48 Points | 31 Points | The "Next Man Up" mentality shined with Keldon Johnson (17 pts) and Julian Champagnie (16 pts) providing massive sparks off the bench. |
Plus/Minus Stars | De'Aaron Fox (+21) | LeBron James (-16) | Fox's minutes were winning minutes. Conversely, the Lakers struggled significantly when LeBron was on the floor. |
Shooting Splits | 50% FG / 44.7% 3PT | 49% FG / 43% 3PT | While FG% was similar, the Spurs made their shots count, hitting 17 threes compared to the Lakers' 16. |
Free Throws | 29-36 (80.6%) | 17-23 (74%) | The Spurs were the aggressors, earning 13 more free throw attempts than Los Angeles. |
The Semifinal Showdown: David vs. Goliath?
The focus now shifts to Saturday’s heavyweight bout in Las Vegas against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently boast a terrifying 24-1 record.
The Matchup: Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren (assuming Wembanyama returns, as hinted by his warmup routine).
The Stakes: A trip to the NBA Cup Championship.
Key Insight: While OKC is the #1 seed, the Spurs have shown they can compete with anyone when their backcourt of Fox and Castle is firing on all cylinders.
The Spurs have proved they are no longer just a "promising young team"—they are a legitimate threat. As the 210 Fast Break host noted, if Wembanyama returns to the lineup on Saturday, the Thunder's near-perfect record could be in serious jeopardy.
Tune in to watch this matchup 8pm CST on Prime Video or Listen on ESPN Radio or WOAI 1200AM. Catch all your latest Spurs news, reports, and highlights on 210FastBreak.com.
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