Game Recap: Suns blow 22-point lead, fall to Lakers, 123-116

The Phoenix Suns have a lot to work on.

The Phoenix Suns blew a 22-point lead to their rival Los Angeles Lakers in Crypto.com Arena. They will prepare for Dallas tomorrow in the home opener on short rest with plenty to clean up.

It started off like it was going to be one of those nights for the Phoenix Suns. And well, it was, but not in the way we hoped. They lost the turnover battle yet again and were outshot at the free throw line by 22.

Key Performers

• Devin Booker — 23 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 9-21 FG.
• Kevin Durant — 30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds on 11-17 FG.
• Bradley Beal — 15 points, 9 assists, 1 rebound on 6-14 FG.
• Anthony Davis — 35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists on 11-18 FG.
• LeBron James — 21 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds on 7-13 FG.
• Austin Reaves — 26 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds on 8-12 FG.

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1st Half

The Suns opened up with a 16-11 lead after getting 12 points early points from Booker and Durant. They wiped a Durant three off the board, apparently… otherwise the lead would’ve been 19-11.

The Suns’ ball movement looked sharp early and it generated some great looks. The aesthetically pleasing basketball extended their lead to 26-18 forcing a Lakers timeout.

Phoenix hit 6 of their first 9 attempts from three-point range. They had 12 assists by 7 different players in the first 10:43 of action.

After the first quarter, Phoenix led 38-23 to take a 15-point lead into the break. Devin Booker led all scorers with 10 points on 4-7 FG.

The second half continued to be an offensive showcase for the Suns, connecting on threes and sharing the ball. Phoenix extended their lead to as many as 22 points, but the Lakers trimmed it down to 12 moments later.

The Lakers wrapped up the second quarter on a 17-6 run. At the half, Phoenix led 61-52. It was quite the letdown for Phoenix after a strong opening 18 minutes of play. Durant, Booker, and Beal were all in double figures.

2nd Half

The Lakers continued their run in the 3rd quarter with Austin Reaves and LeBron James getting hot from deep. Phoenix’s perimeter defense fell apart and they could not generate stops, leading to the Lakers getting it down to a one-point game, 67-66.

A pair of Anthony Davis free throws gave them the 68-67 lead with 8:20 remaining in the quarter. Tyus Jones went on a quick 5-0 run to extend Phoenix’s lead to seven, 81-74. Timeout Lakers.

Los Angeles went on an 8-0 run to quickly respond, giving them a one-point lead. The Suns’ lack of intensity defensively in the quarter was concerning as the Lakers got easy look after easy look.

Once up by 22 points, the Suns found themselves down by eight, 98-90 with 8:30 left in the game. It was a disaster all around.

Phoenix’s defense was exposed by the Lakers in the second half. They struggled to apply ball pressure, with sloppy rotations and late closeouts. Truly a recipe for disaster.

The Lakers had a stretch where they got three offensive rebounds against the small-ball Suns that perfectly encapsulate their struggles. The lack of effort brought flashbacks of a season ago.

Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Once the Lakers’ momentum started, the Suns offered little resistance. It was a great night for LA sports fans. Not so much for Arizona.

Up Next?

The Suns are back in action tomorrow night at the Footprint Center for the first time this season for their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks. The tip-off is at 7 pm Arizona time.

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images