San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan explained a postgame altercation with Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt after the Spurs’ 107-91 win. Vanderbilt poked Sochan in the face as tensions flared, but Sochan downplayed the incident, calling it a “polite exchange” and blaming Vanderbilt’s emotional state.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan addressed a postgame incident Wednesday involving Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt after San Antonio’s 107-91 win at Frost Bank Center.
“I must've said something to him during the game, and maybe it wasn't very nice,” Sochan said per ESPN. “He must have taken it in the wrong way and told me to see him after the game. So, I did. And we just had a polite exchange. I was, I think, intact and very joyful and the other person wasn't. Yeah, he just wasn't emotionally stable in that moment. So, it's something he has to work on. It's just life.”
The altercation occurred as both teams exited the court. Sochan and Vanderbilt exchanged words while Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox stepped in to de-escalate the situation, guiding Vanderbilt away.
Despite Fox’s intervention, Vanderbilt jabbed Sochan in the face with his left index finger. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie stepped in to protect his teammate, with Luka Doncic and Jaxson Hayes also helping calm the situation. Vanderbilt did not speak to reporters after the game.
On the court, Sochan had 6 points on 2-of-2 shooting and one assist in 11 minutes. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs off the bench with 27 points. Vanderbilt contributed 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting in 19 minutes, along with a steal.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Sochan’s performance: “I thought he competed his butt off, did a great job offensively, shot the ones that came to him, and he was in rhythm, made them.”
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