Elfrid Payton
Getty
Elfrid Payton during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans in April 2025
The San Antonio Spurs dismantled a short-handed Los Angeles Lakers squad on Tuesday night, cruising to a 136-108 victory.
With Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves sidelined due to injury, Victor Wembanyama seized the opportunity.
The Spurs star poured in a season-high-tying 40 points, overwhelming a depleted Lakers defense. The Frenchman shot 13-of-20 from the field, knocked down four three-pointers, and went 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.
He added 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, with 37 of his 40 points coming in the first half alone.
While Wembanyama commanded the spotlight, another notable performance quietly unfolded elsewhere within the Spurs organization.
San Antonio Spurs G League Affiliate Also Impresses
On Thursday, the Spurs’ G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, secured a 130-124 win over the Iowa Wolves.
Two-way forward Harrison Ingram led the charge with 30 points and 14 rebounds on 13-of-21 shooting, including two makes from beyond the arc.
He also contributed five assists and two steals in an all-around performance.
Six of Austin’s nine active players scored in double figures. Fellow two-way signee Stanley Umude added 16 points, while Donovan Williams chipped in 18 off the bench on an efficient 8-of-9 shooting night.
NBA veteran Elfrid Payton also delivered a standout performance. Coming off the bench, he recorded an 11-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in 29 minutes, adding three steals and two blocks.
Through 18 games this season, Payton has averaged 6.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 45.3% from the field.
The 31-year-old has primarily come off the bench for Austin and recorded his first triple-double of the season in the win over Iowa.
He nearly achieved the feat on January 20 against the Oklahoma City Blue, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
Veteran Guard Seeking Another NBA Opportunity
Payton has registered five double-digit scoring games this season and has surpassed 10 rebounds and 10 assists in multiple contests.
The veteran guard has moved in and out of the NBA since the 2021-22 season, using the G League as a springboard to reignite his career.
He has spent time with the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans affiliates over the past three seasons.
During the 2024-25 campaign, he earned several 10-day contracts with the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans before signing a two-year standard deal with the Pelicans to close the season.
In 18 games with New Orleans, Payton averaged 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while showcasing his playmaking ability with 8.1 assists per game.
He recorded double-digit assists seven times, highlighted by a career-high 21-assist performance against the Indiana Pacers in November 2025.
Since then, his G League rights have changed hands multiple times. The Los Angeles Clippers acquired them in August before the Spurs secured them in mid-December.
Payton’s well-documented shooting inconsistencies remain. However, for teams seeking experienced guard depth and a capable ball-handler, he continues to demonstrate value.
With more than 500 NBA games to his name, Payton could find himself near the top of the list for a late-season call-up, particularly as teams reassess their rosters following the All-Star break.