Lakers Suffer Blowout Loss to Suns, Snapping Two-Game Winning Streak

In a formidable challenge where they trailed by as many as 32 points, the Lakers faced a decisive 127-109 defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, putting an end to their two-game winning streak. The loss drops the Lakers below .500 for the season and leaves them 2-3 on their five-game home-stand to kick off January.

The Suns showcased an offensive spectacle, with guards Devin Booker (31 points) and Bradley Beal (37 points) each surpassing the 30-point mark. Beal’s elite jump shooting, including eight three-pointers on 10 attempts and a 14-of-21 overall shooting performance, proved instrumental. Booker, on the other hand, demonstrated accuracy with 11 of 22 field goals and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.

Utilizing all three of their star guards – Booker, Beal, and Kevin Durant – in a single game against the Lakers for the first time, the Suns implemented on-ball screen actions involving two of the three players on many possessions. This strategic approach kept the Lakers on the defensive, leading to effective scoring opportunities for the Suns.

While Beal and Booker thrived in these scenarios, Durant contributed with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, exploiting isolation plays against smaller defenders who switched onto him.

The Lakers struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the game. In the competitive first three quarters, before Coach Ham turned to mostly bench groups in the fourth quarter, the Lakers shot 45.9% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc, committing 14 turnovers. The turnovers proved costly, with the Suns converting them into 25 points of their own.

D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting and six assists, while Max Christie contributed 14 points off the bench, along with seven rebounds and four assists.

Despite the Lakers having seven players in double figures, their early deficit proved insurmountable. The Suns, demonstrating control and offensive efficiency, countered any Lakers’ attempts to close the gap.

The Lakers aim to rebound on the road with a one-game trip to Utah on Saturday, seeking to return to the win column after the challenging defeat against the Suns.