Spurs’ longest losing streak ends

It ended the longest losing streak in San Antonio Spurs franchise history.

The Spurs snapped that streak on Friday night with a 129-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. They had lost 18 straight games, including one to the Lakers on Wednesday night. San Antonio had not won since November 2 against the Phoenix Suns.

Devin Vassell scored a career-high 36 points to lead the way for San Antonio, which had seven players finish in double figures, including Victor Wembanyama, who had 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals .

It was the fifth game of the year with multiple blocks and multiple steals for Wembanyama, tied with Anthony Davis for the most in the NBA this season. It was also the fourth time a Spurs rookie finished a game with at least 10 points, 15 rebounds and five assists; David Robinson did it twice and Tim Duncan did it once.

The Lakers were without LeBron James for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs. He returned Friday night, but the Lakers were without AD, Cam Reddish and D’Angelo Russell. LeBron James scored 23 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds for Los Angeles.

The Spurs led by as many as 25 points in the first half before the Lakers responded and cut the lead to just four in the final minute of the second quarter. Keldon Johnson converted an and-one on the Spurs’ final possession of the half to increase the lead to seven at halftime.

San Antonio extended its lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 29-25 to overcome an obstacle that has plagued the team all year. It was only the second third quarter of this season, and the first since Oct. 31, that the Spurs outscored their opponent in the third quarter.

The Spurs’ previous win on Nov. 2 was also the last time the team had a double-digit lead that ended in a victory. Entering Friday, the Spurs were 1-9 in games this season in which they led by as many as 10 points, including eight straight losses, tying the most such losses in NBA history over the last 25 years.

It was the Lakers’ second game this season with James on the court while Davis did not play. That game resulted in a 34-point loss to the Houston Rockets on November 8.