The San Antonio Spurs held off the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Dec. 10 in a 132-119 victory in the final game of the NBA Cup quarterfinals. San Antonio had seven different players reach double figures in scoring, but guard Stephon Castle posted a 30-point double-double with 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

With Victor Wembanyama likely back in the fold, the young Spurs can take the court together for the first time in a game that has a playoff elimination feel.

The 19-1 Thunder are currently the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Cup (-125 at FanDuel ). The Bucks won the competition last year, and the Lakers won the initial version in 2023.

The Lakers struggled to defend and didn't get much from their bench Wednesday night, recurring themes this month.

Johnson's early 3-point barrage helped the Spurs beat the Lakers and get to Las Vegas, where Victory Wembanyama might return.

Recently, ESPN p roposed a trade idea that would see Wembanyama teamed up with Dallas Mavericks power forward Anthony Davis. In the deal, the Spurs would get Davis, the Mavericks would get Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and multiple second-round picks, and the Chicago Bulls would get Naji Marshall.

After the Lakers lost in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal round, LeBron James didn't want to assess their chances of contending in the playoffs.