Vembanya sets a record with 40+12 in just 26 minutes! Spurs secure 5th straight win over depleted Lakers; Kastle exits due to injury

On February 11th Beijing time, the Spurs cruised to a 136-108 victory over the Lakers away from home, marking their fifth straight win. Vembanya had a breakout performance, tallying 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in just 26 minutes. He shot 13-for-20 overall, 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and 10-for-12 at the line. His 40 points matched his personal best this season. Vembanya scored 25 points in the first quarter and 37 by halftime, setting Spurs records not seen in nearly three decades. Moreover, his 37 points at halftime is not only the highest this season across the league but also the highest half-time score by a center since Chamberlain’s 100-point game.

Kastle left the game injured in the second quarter. The Spurs never trailed throughout the match, at one point leading the Lakers by as many as 41 points. Although the Lakers cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter, they ultimately lost at home. Key Lakers rotation players Doncic, James, Reeves, Ayton, and Smart were all absent.

Statistics

Spurs: Vembanya 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; Carter-Bryant 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Harper 15 points, 6 assists; Barnes 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals; Vassell 9 points; Fox 8 points, 6 assists; Champagne 8 points; Olynyk 8 points; McLaughlin 7 points; Cornette 6 points, 5 rebounds; Johnson 6 points, 4 rebounds; Kastle 2 points, 7 assists (injured)

Lakers: Kennard 14 points, 5 assists; Timmy 14 points; Hayes 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Brownie 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists; LaRavia 10 points; Knecht 9 points, 5 rebounds; Baffkin 7 points; Kleber 6 points, 3 rebounds; Hachimura 6 points, 4 rebounds; Vanderbilt 6 points, 4 rebounds; Smith 6 points

Player of the Game

Vembanya effortlessly led the Spurs to victory over the depleted Lakers, breaking multiple records!

Injury Report

In the second quarter, Kastle fell to the ground after blocking Hachimura and returned to the locker room for evaluation. The Spurs later announced that Kastle would not return due to a pelvic contusion.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Champagne hit a three-pointer, and Hayes delivered an alley-oop dunk. Facing a weakened Lakers squad, Vembanya quickly asserted his dominance. Scoring both inside and outside, he put up an astonishing 17 consecutive points, helping the Spurs jump to a 20-8 lead. LaRavia nailed a three, and Kennard scored on a mid-range jumper, but the Lakers still trailed by 9. Vembanya kept pushing, finishing the quarter with a layup and a dunk. Playing 7 minutes and 59 seconds in the first quarter, he scored 25 points. After he was subbed out, the Spurs maintained their momentum with Barnes, Johnson, and Champagne scoring consecutively, while Timmy and Knecht hit mid-range jumpers for the Lakers. Cornette’s buzzer-beater put the Spurs up 47-30 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Harper scored 4 straight points, followed by Carter-Bryant’s dunk, extending the Spurs’ lead to 23. LaRavia scored on a mid-range shot, and Vembanya returned to the court, drawing fouls and sinking both free throws. Fox scored on a layup, then passed to Vembanya who followed up with a powerful dunk. Carter-Bryant hit a three, Hayes scored 4 consecutive points, Barnes nailed a three, and Vembanya scored on a mid-range jumper, pushing the lead to 30. Hayes hit a three, Kennard scored on a put-back, and the Lakers responded with a 7-0 run. Vembanya isolated Kennard and slammed another dunk, while Carter-Bryant and Harper added points. Vembanya scored 5 more points, and at halftime, the Spurs led 84-55. Vembanya had 37 points and 8 rebounds by the break. His 37 points were the highest half-time total among all players this season, and the 84 points were the Lakers’ highest half-time concession this season.

After the break, Hachimura scored on a mid-range jumper, Kennard made a layup, and Barnes and Vassell hit consecutive three-pointers. Hayes delivered another dunk, Barnes hit another three, and Kennard also made a three-pointer, with the Lakers trailing by 29. Vembanya nailed a three-pointer to reach 40 points, tying his season-high before being subbed out. Vassell scored 4 straight points, Harper completed a three-point play, Cornette threw down an alley-oop dunk, and the Spurs led by 40. Brownie and Knecht scored mid-range shots, and Timmy hit a three-pointer. After three quarters, the Spurs were ahead 115-81.

In the final quarter, Knecht scored on a floater, Olynyk made a layup. Timmy hit a three, Tiero completed a dunk and a three-point play, and Timmy scored 4 more points, cutting the deficit to 21. Johnson dunked, McLaughlin hit a three, Olynyk scored on a layup, and McLaughlin stole the ball and scored, sparking a 9-0 run for the Spurs. Brownie hit a three, Carter-Bryant scored on a mid-range jumper, Brownie scored on a floater, and Harper made a layup. Ultimately, the Spurs comfortably defeated the Lakers, securing their fifth straight win.

Starting Lineups

Spurs: Fox, Kastle, Vassell, Champagne, Vembanya

Lakers: Baffkin, Kennard, LaRavia, Hachimura, Hayes