LOS ANGELES – Bradley Beal’s season-high 37 points, bolstered by eight 3-pointers, and Devin Booker’s 31 points led the Phoenix Suns to a dominant 127-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The win marked the Suns’ break from a five-game losing streak against the Lakers and was a significant triumph for coach Frank Vogel against his former team.
Kevin Durant contributed 18 points to the Suns’ victory, which also represented Vogel’s first win over the Lakers since his departure. Vogel previously coached the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title.
The Lakers, who fell to 5-11 since their NBA In-Season Tournament win last month, struggled with turnovers, leading to 28 points for Phoenix. D’Angelo Russell led the bench with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Suns’ offensive surge.
Beal’s explosive third-quarter performance, nearing the Suns’ single-game record for 3-pointers, was a key factor in extending their lead to 32 points in the early fourth. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, who each scored 13 points, were benched in the final quarter due to the significant deficit.
The Lakers, who had recently secured two consecutive wins, fell back below a .500 record at 19-20. Cam Reddish, initially in the starting lineup, didn’t play in the second half because of knee soreness.
Booker’s impressive scoring, achieving his 10th 30-point game this season, set the tone for the Suns’ victory. He scored 16 points in the first quarter alone, helping Phoenix establish an early 11-point lead.
The Lakers briefly held the lead with a fadeway by James, but the Suns quickly regained control. Booker’s jumper initiated an 11-2 run, giving Phoenix a significant advantage. Another jumper by Booker extended the Suns’ lead to 32-15 towards the end of the first quarter, although the Lakers narrowed the gap to 36-25 at the period’s close.
The Lakers attempted a comeback early in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to six points, but the Suns responded with a decisive 10-2 run. Josh Okogie’s highlight dunk and subsequent three-point play further solidified the Suns’ dominance.
The Suns’ win was a showcase of their offensive firepower and resilience, while the Lakers will look to regroup as they continue to navigate through their post-tournament slump. The Suns next face Portland on Sunday, while the Lakers travel to Utah on Saturday.
