The late game on Wednesday night held some intrigue, if only because the San Antonio Spurs continue to be one of the most interesting stories of this NBA season. With no Kawhi Leonard, the team has been up-and-down. Surprisingly, heading into the midweek matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio once again found itself battling for a top position in the Western Conference, just a few games back of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Spurs lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, so as San Antonio took on the Lakers at Staples Center on Wednesday the question would be whether they would really drop two in a row and get swept by the blue and gold on the season.
Fans tuning in watched a tightly-contested matchup on ESPN, with both teams making baskets in the final minute to square the game, 108-108, with under 24 seconds to go. San Antonio took the foul to give with 4.8 seconds left, allowing LA a chance at a final bucket.
Then, this happened:
OH COME ON pic.twitter.com/2AkQ9Nw7dU
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) April 5, 2018
All of basketball Twitter simultaneously lost their minds about the brief commercial interruption. Meanwhile, LA’s Josh Hart missed his layup attempt at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.
What did KCP say to Josh Hart after his missed layup? “He should’ve made it,” KCP said, laughing.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) April 5, 2018
Two nights in a row Gregg Popovich spoke before most reporters were allowed into the hallways here at Staples. Spoke for less than a minute, didn't take questions then bolted.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 5, 2018
Los Angeles was able to pull away from the Spurs during the extra period, 122-112.
The Utah Jazz now hold a half-game lead over San Antonio for fourth place in the West.