The Lakers began their season with a strong first quarter but struggled in the following three, resulting in a 109-105 loss to the Suns.
Unlike their previous encounter with Phoenix, where they faltered late, the Lakers initially built a significant lead before ultimately falling short. Anthony Davis led the team with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks, while Rui Hachimura continued his solid performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron James had a tough night, scoring only 11 points, with a late three-pointer allowing him to maintain his streak of double-digit games. Austin Reaves contributed significantly with 23 points and eight rebounds, and D’Angelo Russell added 14 points and eight assists.
The Lakers started strong, with Hachimura hitting a three-pointer and maintaining momentum until Davis took over, scoring most of his 16 first-quarter points in the paint. Remarkably, LeBron was the only Laker not to score in the first quarter. The team’s defense held the Suns to just eight points with over five minutes remaining in the quarter, but energy waned as they missed several shots.
A missed three-pointer by Gabe Vincent allowed the Suns to start gaining ground, led by Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who narrowed the 18-point deficit to nine by the end of the first quarter.
As the game progressed, the Suns shifted momentum, taking advantage of the Lakers’ turnovers. Devin Booker led the scoring surge for Phoenix, and despite the Lakers’ early lead, they appeared fatigued. However, Rui Hachimura kept the Lakers competitive with a powerful and-one basket, and the team tightened its defense after Davis returned to the court.
Phoenix cut the Lakers’ lead to three with a 7-0 run, and a three-pointer from Booker gave the Suns a two-point lead at halftime. Tyus Jones stole the ball from Davis to score early in the second half, and Phoenix capitalized on the Lakers’ defensive lapses. Fortunately for Los Angeles, their offense helped keep them in the game.
LeBron, who had performed well in the previous match, struggled in this one. As the Suns extended their lead to five, the Lakers fought back, with Rui’s three bringing them within one. The teams exchanged leads, but an 8-0 run allowed Los Angeles to take a four-point lead by the end of the quarter, with Gabe Vincent finally hitting a three-pointer.
The final quarter saw the Suns quickly tie the game, leading to a back-and-forth battle with both teams trading baskets. The Suns took the lead again, but a four-point play from Austin Reaves put the Lakers back in front. With just over two minutes remaining, the Lakers trailed by four after a couple of baskets from Durant. Austin missed a three-pointer, and Phoenix secured the rebound. After a defensive stop, LeBron went to the free-throw line, making one but intentionally missing the second, which led to another missed rebound, allowing the Suns to clinch the victory.
Key Takeaways:
– This game presented the Lakers with their first significant challenge of the season, especially after losing a sizable first-quarter lead.
– Despite the setback, the team demonstrated resilience and continued to fight until the end, showcasing their competitive spirit.
– The Lakers have shown improvement in rebounding, consistently grabbing boards throughout the game.
– Their next matchup is against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at 4:00 PM PT.
