With Kobe Bryant missing the game with a potentially season-ending injury, Coach Byron Scott opted to shuffle his starting lineup against the NBA’s reigning champion San Antonio Spurs.
Rookie Jordan Clarkson made his first start for the Lakers, finishing with 11 points and four assists in 29 minutes. Veteran Ronnie Price moved to the bench, dishing a team-high six assists in less than 19 minutes.
Jeremy Lin was the only available Laker not to play, via a coach’s decision.
The Spurs dominated the first quarter, building a 16-point lead. The Lakers actually won both the third and fourth quarters, but the deficit was too much to overcome.
Tony Parker led San Antonio with 17 points. Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard both scored 15 while Tim Duncan added 14.
The Lakers closed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter on a Wesley Johnson three-pointer with 10 minutes left, but the Spurs answered with seven points in a row and the Lakers never recovered.
Robert Sacre started at center, scoring seven points with seven rebounds. Jordan Hill moved to power forward, finishing with 10 points.
Ryan Kelly, starting for Wesley Johnson at small forward, scored seven points. Wayne Ellington started for Bryant (rotator cuff), scoring 11.
Nick Young was the team’s leading scorer with 17 off the bench. The Lakers shot 39.8% from the field compared to the Spurs’ 42.9%.
With the loss, the Lakers dropped their seventh in the a row and are 12-32 on the season. They’ll return home to host the Houston Rockets (29-14) on Sunday.
The Spurs (28-17) next host the Milwaukee Bucks (21-21), also on Sunday.
Spurs 76, Lakers 61 (end of third quarter)
The Lakers finally won a quarter tonight against the Spurs, holding a 23-20 advantage in the third, but stilltrail by 15 points for the game.
Tony Parker has 17 points, Tim Duncan 14 and both Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili 13 each for the Spurs, who are shooting 42.2% from the field and have taken 10 more free throws than the Lakers, 24-14.
Nick Young leads the Lakers with 14 off the bench, while rookie Jordan Clarkson has 11 points in his first start of the season.
The Lakers are shooting 38.1% from the field and have only six turnovers. The Spurs have just five miscues.
Jeremy Lin didn’t play, while Ronnie Price went scoreless while backing up Clarkson at the point.
Spurs 56, Lakers 38 (halftime)
The Lakers were more competitive against the Spurs in the second quarter, although they still lost a little more ground, falling behind by 18 points after two quarters.
Nick Young leads the Lakers with nine points, while Jordan Clarkson and Carlos Boozer each added eight.
The Spurs have been led by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker with 10 points apiece. Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili scored nine each for San Antonio, which is shooting 51.2% from the field.
The Lakers are shooting 38.1% from the field after making only 28.6% in the first quarter.
Jeremy Lin didn’t play in the first half.
Spurs 31, Lakers 15 (end of first quarter)
Coach Byron Scott changed his starting lineup, putting Jordan Clarkson at point guard, Ryan Kelly at small forward and Robert Sacre at center. Jordan Hill made his first start at power forward, while Wayne Ellington filled in for the injured Kobe Bryant.
Ed Davis, Ronnie Price and Wesley Johnson moved to the bench.
With the new configuration, the Lakers started slowly, giving up nine unanswered points to the Spurs.
Eventually the Lakers got on the board, but finished the quarter down 16 points.
Lakers forward Nick Young as well as Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and point guard Tony Parker lead all scorers with seven points apiece. The Spurs shot 52% from the field; the Lakers shot just 28.6%.
Clarkson had six points in his first career NBA start, hitting three of four shots.
Point guard Jeremy Lin was the only available Laker not to play in the first quarter.
Pregame
The Lakers (12-31) will play without Kobe Bryant (rotator cuff) on Friday night when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (27-17).
Wayne Ellington will likely start for Bryant as the Lakers try to snap a six-game losing streak.
Tarik Black (ankle) is doubtful while Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back) are out for the season.
For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out Preview: Lakers at Spurs.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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