The Lakers challenged the Spurs on the road today, and because James missed today's game due to injury, he eventually lost to the Spurs 110-117, missing a winning streak.
It is worth mentioning that the Lakers have not won in two months, and their last consecutive win was on January 8, when they won a four-game winning streak against the Blazers, Timberwolves, Kings and Hawks.
Although James was absent today, the Lakers still had five players scoring in double figures, but no one scored 20+. In the last game against the Warriors, James scored 56 points alone, accounting for almost half of the team's total scores.
Westbrook played mediocre today, playing 35 minutes, shooting 5-of-14 from the field, 7-of-13 from the free throws, having 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, making five turnovers and being whistled for 5 fouls, but with a plus-minus of +5. With 14 shots, 13 free throws and only 17 points, Westbrook wasn't good enough on the offensive end, and his shooting percentage was indeed lower.
Tucker Jr. played 30 minutes and shot 7-of-14, including 1-of-5 from three-point range and 3-of-4 from the free throw line, with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Anthony played 30 minutes and shot 6-of-12 from the field for 17 points and seven rebounds.
On the Spurs side, the starting lineup all scored in double figures, of which Murray played 37 minutes, 12 of 20 shots, including 1 of 5 three-pointers, 1 of 2 free throws, and had a quasi-triple-double of 26 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Richardson and Peltel both contributed 18 points.
It was a special victory for Spurs coach Popovich, who, after today's win, tied for first in history with Nelson Sr. (1,335).
So far in his coaching career, Popovich has coached the 2028 regular season games, with a record of 1335 wins and 693 losses, with a winning percentage of 66%. Nelson Sr. coached 2398 regular-season games, with a record of 1335 wins and 1063 losses, a winning percentage of less than 56%, 10 percentage points lower than Popovich, from which Popovich is still more powerful.
Popovich not only ranks first in history in terms of wins, but also ranks among the top in history. Unfortunately, after Duncan's retirement, especially after Leonard's departure, the Spurs' record in the past few seasons has not been very good, so Popovich's coaching win rate is also declining, but it is still as high as 66%.
Popovich's coaching career can achieve so many victories, and the winning rate is so high, and Duncan is inseparable. Duncan played for the Spurs throughout his career, playing under Popovich, playing 1,392 games and winning 1,001. Duncan and Popovich complement each other and accomplish each other.