A lackadaisical effort from the Lakers was punished by the Suns on Monday as Phoenix ran away with an easy 125-108 win, snapping LA’s seven-game win streak.
After a tight first quarter, the Suns blew the game open in the second period, then road the hot shooting of DIllon Brooks (33 points) and Collin Gillespie (28) for the second half to punish the Lakers.
LA turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 32 points for the Suns. The purple and gold were also outscored 28-2 in fastbreak points.
Devin Booker only played in the first quarter and did not return for the rest of the game with a right groin injury, making the loss all the more frustrating.
It was an offensive shootout early for the two teams. Luka led Los Angeles with six points while Dillon Brooks led Phoenix with five points. Phoenix went on a 12-4 scoring run to go up by two after LA had led by six.
Luka drained a 3-pointer, which was followed by Devin Booker knocking down a 3-pointer of his own. Luka then answered with another 3-pointer, putting the Lakers back in the lead.
It was a back-and-forth battle with neither team establishing a significant lead. At the end of the first, it was, fittingly, a tied game. Los Angeles only turned the ball over twice in that quarter to Phoenix’s four.
LeBron started the second period by converting on one of his signature fadeaway shots. Phoenix missed its first four shot attempts in this quarter. Reaves drained his second 3-pointer of the half. Dalton Knecht saw some playing time and knocked down a triple.
LA had the lead until the Suns took control of the game, going up by eight with 2:12 left until halftime. They were on an 11-2 scoring run and Brooks was in double figures with 18 points.
Luka and Reaves combined for 10 turnovers. The shots kept coming up short for the Lakers and their defense was failing them. Phoenix closed the half on a massive 19-4 run to put themselves up by 14.
The Lakers started the second half by committing a 24-second shot clock violation. Ayton scored four much-needed points for LA. Former Laker Jordan Goodwin knocked down a 3-pointer. Brooks was now up to 26 points after converting on a three-point play.
LA had made it a 12-point game until Phoenix struck back with five straight points. Brooks then knocked down a 3-pointer, adding to a huge night for him. The Lakers looked lackadaisical and completely off.
The turnover count was now at 17 for Los Angeles. The Suns, on the other hand, only had eight. At the end of the third, Phoenix was up by 19.
Los Angeles started the final frame with a surge of four quick points. The Suns responded with five points. Gabe Vincent drained a much-needed 3-pointer.
The Lakers, however, had a rough time defending Collin Gillespie, who was now 7-11 from behind the arc.
At the 5:44 mark, after keeping LeBron in the game to reach 10 points, the Lakers waved the white flag and emptied their bench.
Luka Dončić scored 20 of his 38 points in the first quarter. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished five dimes. Austin Reaves ended with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
LeBron James had 10 points with three assists. Deandre Ayton pitched in with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup is Thursday against the Toronto Raptors at 4:30 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
