The NBA Cup has become famous for its eye-catching courts, but Wednesday’s quarterfinal clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs will look a bit different. In a move aimed at safety, the Lakers will play on their regular court instead of the bright yellow alternate surface, after players struggled with slipping during the group stage. An NBA source told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the choice was made “out of an abundance of caution.”
Los Angeles is hosting one of the two NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. The other matchup pits the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Phoenix Suns, with the winners advancing to Las Vegas for the semifinals on Saturday. The Lakers still aim to defend their NBA Cup title, having won the competition in the 2023-24 season—the event’s inaugural year.
San Antonio won’t have to contend with Victor Wembanyama, who is sidelined with a calf injury. He played against the Lakers last month, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds before fouling out, a performance that was below his typical standards and one that could have sparked a strong bounce-back effort had he been active.
For the Lakers, Luka Dončić returned to action Sunday after missing two games for the birth of his daughter. In their previous meeting with the Spurs, Dončić delivered an all-around masterclass—35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks—against a San Antonio interior anchored by Wembanyama. With Wembanyama out this time, Dončić’s momentum could carry him to another standout game.
