Game Recap: Suns win preseason opener against Lakers, 118-114

The Phoenix Suns started slow, but stormed back for a late win against their rivals in Palm Desert.

The Phoenix Suns have officially completed (and won) their first preseason game of the 2024-25 season.

It started a bit choppy and slow — as expected — but once the rust wore off and the second unit found their rhythm, they pulled away. They outscored the Lakers 33-22 in the final quarter and stormed back for the win in Mike Budenholzer’s Suns debut.

LeBron and his son Bronny shared the court, making history in a pretty cool moment.

But we’re a Suns program here, so back to what we care about… the Phoenix Suns, not the Lakers’ son. (I’ll be here all night)

Key Performers

• Josh Okogie — 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists (16 minutes)
• Oso Ighodaro — 12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 blocks (27 minutes)
• Collin Gillespie — 12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds (12 minutes)
• LeBron James — 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks (16 minutes)

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1st Half

The Suns got off to a choppy start, which is expected in your first preseason game. The Lakers took an 11-7 lead into the first timeout break. Phoenix responded quickly with six straight points to take a 13-11 lead.

Devin Booker had himself quite the opening quarter, scoring 12 points (3-5 on threes) in nine minutes.

The Suns’ second unit got some run with Morris, Allen, O’Neale, Dunn, and Ighodaro leading the way. Bol Bol was notably left out of this first-glimpse bench rotation.

The Lakers closed out the quarter strong to take a six-point lead led by buckets from Russell and Reaves. After the first quarter, the Lakers led 34-25. It was a rough start shooting the rock as the team shook off the rust.

The rust started to shake off in the second quarter and the Suns found their rhythm. They trimmed the lead down to two, forcing a Lakers timeout.

They were launching threes at a high rate, as advertised in the preseason talk. The Suns averaged 32 three-point attempts per game last season. They had already attempted 20 with two minutes left in the first half.

Ryan Dunn joined the fun and hit a corner three!

At the half, Phoenix was down by twelve, 69-57.

2nd Half

The second half opened up with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal on the bench. On the Lakers side, LeBron and Davis were sitting.

The Suns sent out Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale, and Mason Plumlee. The play was a bit choppy and I can confirm it continued to be preseason basketball.

Damion Lee looked great in his return, knocking down two of his first three shots, including this bomb from deep.

The Lakers took a 92-85 into the fourth quarter.

The 4th period was filled with a lot of fast-paced “rec ball” style play, as we often see in the late-game moments of the preseason.

We got our first look at Frank Kaminsky, Jalen Bridges, and Collin Gillespie. Gillespie was cooking, scoring 7 points in 5 minutes. Josh Okogie and Oso Ighodaro also looked very solid, providing meaningful minutes as they vie for a role.

The ending was a bit dramatic with the Suns storming to a lead, but the Lakers fought right back. Ultimately the Suns bench mob fought hard for the win and outplayed Los Angeles in the final moments to secure the win.

P.S. — Have to pat myself on the back for almost nailing this down to the point.

Up Next

Suns @ Pistons at the Breslin Center (Michigan State)

October 8th at 4:00 pm (AZ time)