LeBron James highlights Lakers’ defensive issues after Spurs loss

The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a strong start in the 2025-26 NBA season, posting a 17–7 record that places them fourth in the Western Conference.

However, that momentum hit a snag in their most recent outing, as the Lakers fell 132–119 to the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena in the NBA Cup on Thursday, December 11 (Philippine Standard Time).

Defensive struggles continue to plague Los Angeles. The Lakers’ defensive rating of 116.7 ranks 21st in the league, with every team ranked lower sporting a losing record. Against San Antonio, the team allowed the Spurs to shoot 45 percent from three-point range, trailing by double digits for most of the contest.

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LeBron James addressed the team’s defensive shortcomings after the game, emphasizing the need for collective effort.

Despite the Lakers having a record of 17-7, @boogiecousins doesn’t believe they’re a championship level team.

With the Lakers being ranked 21st in defensive efficiency, it’s going to be tough sledding despite having the three-headed monster on offense with Luka, AR, and LeBron… pic.twitter.com/EBxYaSdMkT

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 11, 2025

“I mean five guys being on the string. Obviously, you can’t do it individually by yourself. It has to be five guys on the string. Communication always at an all-time high, letting you know what’s going on behind you and things of that nature. Obviously, the Spurs are a unique team. They have six or seven guys that can literally break you down off the dribble. Super fast, super quick. Some of them are stronger, some of them are faster, some of them are quicker ball handlers. So unique team and they definitely got the best of us,” LeBron said.

Austin Reaves echoed James’ comments, stressing that the team must take responsibility for its defensive lapses.

“We are going to have to look at ourselves. We are going to have to really sit down with ourselves and figure that out. Whatever it takes. This is a league where, unfortunately, those things can happen. Everybody’s good and everybody’s working on their game and everybody wants to win, especially playing against us.

“Anytime you come in here and play against the Lakers, we are going to get everybody’s best shot. So, we really gotta look ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we want to do, if we are going to lay down and get punked or we are gonna fight back and I’m not the one to lay down and get punked. Hopefully, we can find a way to fight back,” Reaves added.

With Marcus Smart’s return potentially bolstering their defense, the Lakers hope to address these issues before hitting the road to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday, December 15 (Philippine Standard Time). If defensive woes persist, it could overshadow their strong start to the season.

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