The Los Angeles Lakers fought hard but came up short in their first matchup against the San Antonio Spurs since the departure of both Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Despite keeping within four points with 54 seconds left and 20+ points a piece from Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams and Nick Young it just wasn’t enough to overcome Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.
D’Angelo Russell sat out of Friday’s game with a sore knee, and head coach Luke Walton opted on starting Jose Calderon in his absence. After the game, Walton explains his decision not to break up that second unit off the bench that has been playing incredibly well together.
Walton also talks about Julius Randle matching up against both Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge and why he sees Brandon Ingram as a better defensive player in the fourth quarter than to start games. Does Walton think Ingram has the potential to be as good a defensive player as Leonard?
What was Ingram’s first experience like of guarding Leonard and why does he think his defense improves at the end of games? Veteran Lou Williams also had a message for the team, which Clarkson explains. It’s all in our videos below.
Brandon Ingram
Jordan Clarkson
Luke Walton
