Sochan Minimizes Postgame Tension After Brief Clash With Lakers’ Vanderbilt
What looked tense in the moment ended up being far less dramatic than it appeared. San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan brushed off a brief postgame confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt following San Antonio’s 107–91 win, insisting the exchange was more emotional than dangerous.
The incident occurred after the final buzzer at Frost Bank Center, when Sochan and Vanderbilt exchanged words as both teams were leaving the court. Lakers guard De'Aaron Fox quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, attempting to guide Vanderbilt away. During the moment, Vanderbilt briefly jabbed Sochan in the face with his index finger, prompting Spurs forward Julian Champagnie to shove Vanderbilt in response. Additional players, including Luka Dončić and Jaxson Hayes, helped calm things before it escalated further.
After the game, Sochan downplayed the encounter, suggesting trash talk during the game may have triggered Vanderbilt’s reaction. He described the exchange as brief and emotional, saying he personally felt fine and viewed it as a moment of frustration rather than something serious. Vanderbilt declined to speak with reporters afterward.
On the court, the Spurs controlled the game, powered by Keldon Johnson, who scored 27 points off the bench. The outing marked his fourth game this season with at least 25 points as a reserve. Sochan contributed six points on perfect shooting in 11 minutes, appearing in just his second straight game after several recent DNPs. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Sochan’s effort and rhythm despite limited minutes.
Vanderbilt finished with four points in 19 minutes for the Lakers.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, Sochan also reflected on his situation in San Antonio. He acknowledged the uncertainty but emphasized his commitment to the Spurs, calling the city home and stressing the importance of staying focused on the present rather than worrying about what he cannot control.
In the end, what initially looked like a flashpoint turned into little more than a brief flare of emotions — quickly handled and unlikely to carry lasting consequences.
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