Spurs Legend Playfully Shouts Out Former Team for Clinching NBA Cup Semifinals Berth Over Lakers
On Wednesday night, the San Antonio Spurs delivered one of their best performances of the NBA Cup to knock out the Los Angeles Lakers with a dominating 132-119 victory in the quarterfinal matchup at Crypto.com Arena.
The win did more than just send the Spurs into the semifinals; it also propelled them into the semifinals. It also caught the attention of one of the franchise’s greatest icons. Moments after the final buzzer, Spurs legend Manu Ginóbili took to social media to celebrate the victory.
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Manu Ginóbili Reacts to Spurs’ Statement Win Over Lakers
Following the Spurs’ dominant victory, Ginóbili could not hold back his excitement, and his reaction perfectly captured what this moment meant to him. He took to X and asserted that the game pushed him well past what he jokingly calls his strict bedtime; the former Spurs’ star made it clear that staying up was worth it.
He posted, “What a game by the @Spurs!! Amazing!! It’s Vegas time!! #GoSpursGo! It was worth it to go past my strict bedtime of 11p.m.!”
What a game by the @Spurs!! Amazing!! It’s Vegas time!! 💥💥 #GoSpursGo!
It was worth it to go past my strict bedtime of 11pm! 😜
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) December 11, 2025
The four-time NBA champion’s X post quickly went viral, as his playful message was a nod to a Spurs team that finally looked like its best self on both ends of the floor.
San Antonio controlled the game from the opening tip with a 39-30 first-quarter burst and never looked back. Several players delivered standout performances, including Stephon Castle, who exploded for 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists during his 27 minutes on the floor. De’Aaron Fox added 20 points, three assists, and four rebounds, picking apart the Lakers’ defense.
On the other hand, the Lakers, despite the loss, still had bright spots. Luka Dončić was his dominant self, posting 35 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in his 41 minutes of play. LeBron James added 19 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Austin Reaves chipped in 15 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds, but the team struggled to slow down San Antonio’s pace.
However, the Lakers’ defensive lapses in the second and third quarters proved too costly as the Spurs’ balance and ball movement kept the Lakers on the defensive all night.
With the win, the Spurs advance to the NBA Cup semifinals, where they will continue their hunt for the franchise’s first in-season tournament title. In the semifinals, they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
As for the regular season, the Spurs are in fifth position in the Western Conference with 17 wins and seven losses.
