However, behind Wembanyama, the Spurs don't really have a high-level second option. Devin Vassell once flashed that potential, but after his lackluster start to the season, it's clear that his ceiling is as a third or fourth option on a good team.

Benny the Bull challenged Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs teammates to a game of chess in the middle of their warmups.

In two consecutive fourth quarters, against Denver and Chicago, the Spurs got too complacent, too happy, and too nice, and they paid for it.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with 34 points ... they had a lot of trouble squaring up for an open shot. Finally, Jeremy Sochan got the ball, faked a pass to Barnes in the corner, and took a ...

Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points, most of them in the first half, and the Spurs dominated the Clippers 122-86 for their largest margin of victory this season.

The result is a three-game losing streak that matches the team's longest skid of the season. Entering a two-game set against the Lakers (20-16) that begins Saturday and ends Monday, the Spurs (18-19) look to recapture the good vibes they enjoyed at the start of the month.

Spurs: PG Chris Paul (6-0, 20th year), SG Devin Vassell (6-5, 5th), SF Jeremy Sochan (6-8, 3rd), PF Harrison Barnes (6-8, 13th), C Victor Wembanyama (7-3, 2nd). Lakers: PG Austin Reaves (6-5, 4th year), SG Max Christie (6-5, 3rd), SF Rui Hachimura (6-8, 6th), PF LeBron James (6-9, 22nd), C Anthony Davis (6-10, 13th).

San Antonio is looking to break its three-game slide with a win against Los Angeles. The teams play Saturday for the first time this season.

With a recent defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs face challenges in their offensive game and team chemistry. Key players like Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell are under the spotlight as the team struggles with physicality and hustle on the court.

I think this was just a deviation from what we’ve been doing," says Harrison Barnes of the Spurs' lapses against the Bucks.

Damian Lillard had 26 points and eight assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the San Antonio Spurs 121-105.