The San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers history is among the top rivalries in NBA history. These two Western Conference teams have been going at each other for a long time, and have created legendary playoff games, unforgettable moments, superstar matchups, and championship-level basketball.
It reached another peak of fame in the late 1990s and 2000s when both teams had a lock on the Western Conference. The Lakers have been strong teams around Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, while the Spurs have been a dynasty under coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan. Often their contests determined which team would be the Western Conference’s Finals representative. This article will provide complete information about San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers Timeline.
San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers Overview
The Spurs and Lakers have played against each other hundreds of times during the regular season and playoffs. The rivalry of the two teams is considered one of the best and one of the most competitive rivalries in the NBA’s history as both teams had long dominant streaks. The Lakers evolved into one of the most iconic, high-profile basketball teams in the game’s history with various championships and superstars. In the meantime, the Spurs had established themselves as smart managers, great coaches and consistent teams. Both rival teams spent many years topping the Western Conference, and their games were very consequential.
| Category | San Antonio Spurs | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference |
| Division | Southwest Division | Pacific Division |
| Home Arena | Frost Bank Center | Crypto.com Arena |
| NBA Championships | 5 | 17 |
| Rivalry Started | 1970s | 1970s |
| Playoff Meetings | Multiple | Multiple |
| Rivalry Status | Active | Active |
Early Years: Spurs vs Lakers Rivalry Begins
The feud began when the Spurs joined the NBA after the merger of the ABA and NBA in 1976. The Lakers became a formidable basketball team during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were dominated by Los Angeles over the past ten years. One of the most exciting teams in sports was the Lakers, whose “Showtime” style of basketball was fast paced. At this time, San Antonio was establishing itself as a city. The Spurs regularly advanced to the playoffs, but failed to equal the Lakers’ championship firepower. Despite this, it was still a competitive matchup between these two teams, as both teams were typically competing for playoff spots in the Western Conference. The rivalry started to heat up during the 1980s and early 1990s as San Antonio began to gain postseason experience and strengthen their team.
1990s: Spurs Become Championship Contenders
It took another turn when the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan in the 1997 NBA Draft. Duncan took over the destiny of the franchise and played a key role in making San Antonio a contender for the championship.
The Lakers were at the same time one of the most formidable lines in NBA history under the leadership of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The city of Los Angeles rose to greatness as an offense, a city of athleticism, and a city of superstar talent.
During this time, the Spurs and Lakers consistently had the top Western Conference records. Their games became some of the biggest events in basketball since the winning team would usually be the favorite to win the NBA championship.
Tim Duncan’s leadership, defense, rebounding and efficient scoring complemented San Antonio’s disciplined system. The Lakers were one of the scariest teams in the game with Kobe Bryant’s scoring, competitiveness and clutch performance. The competition was even fiercer as both teams battled for championships season after season.
Memorable Playoff Battles
Spurs and Lakers played in some pivotal playoff series that altered the course of NBA history.
1999 Playoffs
The Lakers got their first defeat in the Spurs’ first championship year. Tim Duncan and David Robinson were the leaders of the series, and were a key to San Antonio becoming a new NBA powerhouse.
2001 Western Conference Finals
The Lakers beat the Spurs in one of the most dominating playoff runs in NBA history. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were unstoppable all day during the playoffs.
2003 Playoffs
The Lakers were knocked out by the Spurs to get to another NBA title. One of the greatest playoff games of his career was on the scoreboard during this run, and it was Tim Duncan.
Late 2000s Battles
The Western Conference battle continued throughout the late 2000s, with Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan still the stars of the two teams.
San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | San Antonio Spurs | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Total Wins | 97 | 99 |
| Regular Season Wins | 97 | 99 |
| Total Games Played | 196 | 196 |
| Rivalry Started | 1976 | 1976 |
| Best Era | Tim Duncan Dynasty | Kobe Bryant Era |
| Recent Star Players | Victor Wembanyama | LeBron James |
| Overall Series Leader | No | Yes |
San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers Timeline
2025-26 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb 10, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 136-108 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 107-91 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | San Antonio Spurs | 132-119 |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Los Angeles Lakers | 118-116 |
2024-25 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Los Angeles Lakers | 125-109 |
| Jan 13, 2025 | San Antonio Spurs | 126-102 |
| Nov 27, 2024 | Los Angeles Lakers | 119-101 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Los Angeles Lakers | 120-115 |
2023-24 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb 23, 2024 | Los Angeles Lakers | 123-118 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | San Antonio Spurs | 129-115 |
| Dec 13, 2023 | Los Angeles Lakers | 122-119 |
2022-23 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan 25, 2023 | Los Angeles Lakers | 113-104 |
| Nov 26, 2022 | Los Angeles Lakers | 143-138 |
| Nov 25, 2022 | Los Angeles Lakers | 105-94 |
| Nov 20, 2022 | Los Angeles Lakers | 123-92 |
2021-22 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Mar 7, 2022 | San Antonio Spurs | 117-110 |
| Dec 23, 2021 | San Antonio Spurs | 138-110 |
| Nov 14, 2021 | Los Angeles Lakers | 114-106 |
| Oct 26, 2021 | Los Angeles Lakers | 125-121 (OT) |
2020-21 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan 7, 2021 | San Antonio Spurs | 118-109 |
| Jan 1, 2021 | Los Angeles Lakers | 109-103 |
| Dec 30, 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | 121-107 |
2019-20 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb 4, 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | 129-102 |
| Nov 25, 2019 | Los Angeles Lakers | 114-104 |
| Nov 3, 2019 | Los Angeles Lakers | 103-96 |
2018-19 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Dec 7, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 133-120 |
| Dec 5, 2018 | Los Angeles Lakers | 121-113 |
| Oct 27, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 110-106 |
| Oct 22, 2018 | San Antonio Spurs | 143-142 (OT) |
2017-18 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 4, 2018 | Los Angeles Lakers | 122-112 (OT) |
| Mar 3, 2018 | Los Angeles Lakers | 116-112 |
| Jan 11, 2018 | Los Angeles Lakers | 93-81 |
2016-17 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 5, 2017 | Los Angeles Lakers | 102-95 |
| Feb 26, 2017 | San Antonio Spurs | 119-98 |
| Jan 12, 2017 | San Antonio Spurs | 134-94 |
| Nov 18, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 116-107 |
2015-16 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Feb 19, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 119-113 |
| Feb 6, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 106-102 |
| Jan 22, 2016 | San Antonio Spurs | 108-95 |
| Dec 11, 2015 | San Antonio Spurs | 109-87 |
2014-15 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Jan 23, 2015 | San Antonio Spurs | 99-85 |
| Dec 12, 2014 | Los Angeles Lakers | 112-110 (OT) |
| Nov 14, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | 93-80 |
2013-14 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 16, 2014 | Los Angeles Lakers | 113-100 |
| Mar 19, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | 125-109 |
| Mar 14, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | 119-85 |
| Nov 1, 2013 | San Antonio Spurs | 91-85 |
2012-13 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 14, 2013 | Los Angeles Lakers | 91-86 |
| Jan 9, 2013 | San Antonio Spurs | 108-105 |
| Nov 13, 2012 | San Antonio Spurs | 84-82 |
2011-12 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 20, 2012 | San Antonio Spurs | 121-97 |
| Apr 17, 2012 | San Antonio Spurs | 112-91 |
| Apr 11, 2012 | Los Angeles Lakers | 98-84 |
2010-11 Season
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Apr 12, 2011 | Los Angeles Lakers | 102-93 |
| Mar 6, 2011 | Los Angeles Lakers | 99-83 |
| Feb 3, 2011 | San Antonio Spurs | 89-88 |
| Dec 28, 2010 | San Antonio Spurs | 97-82 |
Top Players in the San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers Timeline
This rivalry became famous throughout the history of the NBA thanks to many legendary players.
San Antonio Spurs Legends
- Tim Duncan
- Tony Parker
- Manu Ginóbili
- David Robinson
- Kawhi Leonard
It’s now the LA Lakers Legends.
- Kobe Bryant
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Magic Johnson
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- LeBron James
These stars had memorable plays and helped to make a lot of classic two-team matches.
Modern Era of Rivalry
A rivalry has shifted since Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker all retired. Both sides were in rebuild mode at various times. The Lakers have since built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis and become a championship contender once again.
San Antonio was much more interested in building around young players and recent acquisition Victor Wembanyama, who many think could be the next superstar in the franchise. Though it’s a different type of matchup than that of Duncan and Kobe, the rivalry is still being watched en masse between the Spurs and Lakers.
Future of the Rivalry
Both teams have promising prospects for the future. The Spurs are rebuilding through the back of Victor Wembanyama and building young players to be a part of their long-term plans. The Lakers are still in the mix with veterans and are still one of the NBA’s top teams. Many Spurs fans think that as San Antonio continues to improve, future Spurs vs Lakers games could be viewed as another Western Conference affair. The competition continues to have significant historical meaning, as both sides embody winning traditions and championship basketball.
Conclusion
The San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers timeline is one of the all-time great rivalries in NBA history. For decades, these two franchises battled it out for championships and Western Conference supremacy as well as basketball greatness.
It was during the Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant days that the competition became legendary as both teams would dedicate many playoff series and rivalry for the title. Their games featured superstar performances, elite coaching, strong defense, unforgettable moments, and intense competition. The Lakers had built their success on superstar talent and offensive power, the Spurs around teamwork, discipline and consistency. This disparity in the philosophies of basketball made the competition even more unique. The competition has now reached a new level with younger players and rebuilding teams, but it’s history that makes every game against the Spurs and Lakers a must-watch for fans of the NBA.
FAQs
A1. The Lakers have a 24-game all-time regular-season winning streak over the Spurs.
A2. Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and David Robinson were all players that made this rivalry legendary.
A3. Both teams competed for championships regularly, had Hall of Fame players and memorable playoff battles—this rivalry became famous.
A4. The Spurs and Lakers do have a couple of playoff match-ups in the 90’s and 00’s.
A5. The rivalry continues to be enjoyed by fans for its history, championship tradition, legendary players and competitive Western Conference matchups.
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