The Suns need this one today.
Who: Phoenix Suns (31-36) @ Los Angeles Lakers (40-25)
When: 12:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Los Angeles, California — Crypto.com Arena
Watch: ABC/ESPN, AZFamily, Suns Live
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in LA in a primetime afternoon game on ABC tonight. The Lakers will be without LeBron James, who is nursing a groin strain.
Phoenix is currently 10 games behind the Pacific Division-leading Lakers, though their sights are set on gaining ground vs. Dallas for the final play-in spot.
They got off to a great start in righting the ship by taking down the Kings on Friday night on their home court. Phoenix has won its last two contests against the Lakers and must keep that momentum brewing today.
They currently trail the Mavericks by 1.5 games for the 10th seed out West. Dallas plays the 76ers today, so in a best-case scenario, they could find themselves just 0.5 games back from the last play-in spot after today.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Probable Starters
Phoenix
- Nick Richards
- Kevin Durant
- Ryan Dunn
- Devin Booker
- Tyus Jones
Lakers
- Jaxson Hayes
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Dalton Knecht
- Austin Reaves
- Luka Dončić
Injury Report
Suns
- Nick Richards – PROBABLE (Right Ankle Sprain)
- Monte Morris – QUESTIONABLE (Low Back Injury Management)
- Grayson Allen – OUT (Left Foot Strain)
- Jalen Bridges – OUT (G League – Two-Way)
Lakers
- Luka Dončić — PROBABLE (right ankle sprain)
- Jaxson Hayes — PROBABLE (right knee contusion)
- Dalton Knecht — PROBABLE (back soreness)
- Dorian Finney-Smith — QUESTIONABLE (left ankle injury management)
- Gabe Vincent — QUESTIONABLE (left knee injury management)
- Rui Hachimura — OUT (left patellar tendinopathy),
- LeBron James — OUT (left groin strain)
- Maxi Kleber — OUT (right foot surgery recovery)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
Reeling Lakers?
Los Angeles has lost four straight games and are without LeBron James and Rui Hachimura for at least another week or so. Despite that, they built up some cushion with an 8-game winning streak that was halted by this current 4-game skid.
LA has a sparkling 25-7 record at home and has won 6 straight home games entering this contest. They still have superstar Luka Doncic, who will look to carry the load offensively, which he is fully capable of doing.
Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images
Rookie Time?
In their win over the Kings on Friday, Ryan Dunn got the start, and Oso Ighodaro saw significant minutes after another Mason Plumlee ejection. The rookies’ energy was contagious, and they were a major reason the Suns pulled off the home win.
We need to see Dunn get consistent minutes at this point. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get there with how this rotation goes, but it needs to happen.
Oso fits this bill as well after he posted a team-high +22 in the win over the Kings, chipping in with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal in 32 minutes. Dunn tallied 16 points, 5 boards, and 4 steals in 33 minutes.
Kevin Durant on what he said to Ryan Dunn while he got inconsistent minutes: “I don’t say nothing to him. You need to go through some stuff as a rookie….If Ryan was pouting ’cause he wasn’t playing…then he wouldn’t come out here when he got his opportunity and take advantage… pic.twitter.com/4DtSTniiAQ
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) March 15, 2025
Unleash the rooks!
Lock Up Luka
We all know what Luka is capable of. Phoenix will need a team effort to slow him down, with the point-of-attack assignment largely falling on the shoulders of rookie Ryan Dunn.
Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Royce O’Neale, and several others will rotate on him at times and need to pester him as much as possible. With LeBron out, another name to watch is Austin Reaves, who will take on a large role offensively as a playmaker and scorer. He and Luka will look to take turns taking over the game offensively.
It’s one of those games where your path to victory is by wearing out Luka early and often, so he is exhausted by the 4th. They need to build a lead early and set the tone.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Key to a Suns Win
Take care of the basketball. Rebound the basketball. Hustle.
If the Suns do these things and play with high energy… they will have a shot.
Prediction
Phoenix will win. I’m feeling optimistic in a preview for the first time in a while, and that scares me…
Suns 114, Lakers 109
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