Final Spurs vs Lakers Injury Report: Will Wembanyama or Smart Play?

Final Spurs vs Lakers Injury Report shows Victor Wembanyama ruled out again while Marcus Smart is cleared to return for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal in Los Angeles. The San Antonio Spurs visit the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST on Amazon Prime Video.

San Antonio enters the knockout matchup at 16–7 after a road win over the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Lakers sit at 17–6 following a strong victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams arrive with momentum, but the latest injury news creates a clear health advantage for Los Angeles.

Spurs rule out Victor Wembanyama again for Lakers clash

The Spurs have two names on their final injury report, headlined by star big man Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio has officially ruled Wembanyama out, confirming he will miss his 12th straight game because of a left calf strain despite taking part in recent practices.

Before the setback, Wembanyama was delivering MVP-level numbers in his third NBA season. The 22-year-old was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks per game across his first 12 contests, while shooting above 50 percent from the field and mid-30s from three-point range. His combination of size, rim protection and perimeter skill makes him the focal point of San Antonio’s game plan on both ends.

San Antonio’s decision to sit Wembanyama again underlines a long-term approach to his health. Team officials and head coach Mitch Johnson have consistently framed his recovery as more important than any single Cup game, even with a trip to the semifinals on the line. The Spurs have gone 8–3 during his absence, a sign of depth but also a reminder of the ceiling they regain once he is fully cleared for five-on-five action.

With Wembanyama unavailable, Luke Kornet is expected to remain in the starting center role. Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan should continue to see expanded minutes in the frontcourt, with Sochan’s versatility especially important when defending the Lakers’ mix of perimeter-heavy and post-focused lineups. The Spurs will again need collective rebounding and rim protection to compensate for Wembanyama’s absence.

Guard Jordan McLaughlin is the other name on San Antonio’s injury list. He is listed as questionable with a left hamstring strain after missing 10 straight games. A return would give the Spurs another ballhandler and secondary playmaker, easing some load on the primary guards and stabilizing bench units if he is cleared.

Lakers welcome back Marcus Smart as Maxi Kleber remains in doubt

The Lakers’ side of the final injury report is much lighter. Los Angeles lists only forward Maxi Kleber as questionable for the Spurs game due to a lumbar muscle strain, leaving his availability to be decided closer to tipoff.

The more significant news is positive. Veteran guard Marcus Smart is off the injury report after missing six consecutive games with a back issue. He practiced fully in the ramp-up to the Cup quarterfinal and publicly indicated that his back felt good and that he planned to play. That return has since been reflected in official reporting and fantasy updates, confirming he is cleared for action.

Smart’s impact is expected to show up immediately on the defensive end. During his six-game absence, the Lakers slipped defensively despite a solid win-loss record, and Smart’s on-ball pressure, communication and ability to guard multiple positions should help tighten perimeter coverage. He also provides secondary playmaking and spot-up shooting alongside stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

If Kleber is ultimately ruled out, Los Angeles still has enough frontcourt depth to absorb the loss. Deandre Ayton and other bigs can handle most frontcourt minutes, while smaller lineups with James at power forward remain an option. In contrast to San Antonio’s situation without Wembanyama, the Lakers’ rotation remains close to full strength even with Kleber in doubt.

How Wembanyama’s absence and Smart’s return shape the Spurs vs Lakers matchup

The final Spurs vs Lakers injury report creates a clear storyline for the NBA Cup quarterfinal. San Antonio must once again navigate a high-leverage game without its franchise cornerstone, while Los Angeles regains one of its most important defensive pieces at exactly the right time. The health disparity could be decisive in a single-elimination setting.

Without Wembanyama, the Spurs lose an elite rim protector, lob threat and mismatch creator who forces defenses to adjust on every possession. San Antonio has compensated by leaning more heavily on its guards and wings, spreading the floor and pushing pace. That formula has produced wins, but it becomes more challenging against a locked-in Lakers defense featuring Smart at the point of attack and James and Doncic driving the offense.

For the Lakers, Smart’s return allows the coaching staff to deploy more aggressive coverages against San Antonio’s ballhandlers. He can take primary assignments on key Spurs guards, freeing other defenders to help on shooters and cutters. His presence also deepens the rotation in a playoff-style environment where every possession and matchup is magnified.

At the same time, the Spurs’ recent 8–3 surge without Wembanyama shows they remain a dangerous opponent. Role players such as Harrison Barnes, Dylan Harper and others have stepped into bigger roles, and the group has built confidence winning without its star. If they maintain offensive rhythm and limit turnovers, they can still push the Lakers despite the injury disadvantage.

In the end, the Final Spurs vs Lakers Injury Report underscores a key contrast: Victor Wembanyama will not suit up, but Marcus Smart is back on the floor. San Antonio’s resilience and depth will be tested again, while Los Angeles looks to capitalize on near full health to secure a spot in the NBA Cup semifinals on December 10, 2025.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is Victor Wembanyama playing tonight against the Lakers?

No. Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the Spurs’ NBA Cup quarterfinal at the Lakers with a left calf strain, marking his 12th straight missed game.

Q2: Is Marcus Smart playing for the Lakers vs the Spurs?

Yes. Marcus Smart is off the Lakers’ injury report after missing six games with a back injury and is expected to play significant minutes in the quarterfinal.

Q3: What is Maxi Kleber’s status for Spurs vs Lakers?

Maxi Kleber is listed as questionable with a lumbar muscle strain. His status will likely be decided after pregame warmups.

Q4: How have the Spurs performed without Victor Wembanyama?

The Spurs are 8–3 over their last 11 games without Wembanyama, improving to 16–7 on the season. That stretch highlights their depth but also shows how much higher their ceiling could be when he returns.

Q5: What time and where is the Spurs vs Lakers NBA Cup quarterfinal?

The San Antonio Spurs face the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. EST with coverage on Amazon Prime Video.