The Lakers’ seven-game successful streak got here to a crashing halt with a 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday at Crypto.com Area.
Whereas Luka Doncic continued his scoring surge with 38 factors and 11 rebounds, the loss laid naked the Lakers’ greatest issues. The Lakers (15-5) turned the ball over 21 occasions, which led to 32 factors for the Suns. The group’s middle-of-the-road protection had no reply for Phoenix’s dizzying offense that shot 57% from the sector. LeBron James, who sat out Sunday to handle a left foot harm at the beginning of the Lakers’ residence back-to-back, pale into the background a lot of the evening.
The NBA’s all-time main scorer didn’t exert any power on the sport till the fourth quarter as the potential of his streak of 1,296 consecutive video games with 10 or extra factors seemed to be in peril. Getting into the fourth quarter with simply six factors, James hit a step-back fadeaway jumper with 6:51 to go that pushed him to 10.
It was the one second of consequence in a second half that the Lakers had lengthy let get uncontrolled.
Collin Gillespie buried the Lakers with 28 factors and eight three-pointers, together with 4 that got here within the fourth quarter. Dillon Brooks had 33 to guide the Suns, who had little hassle scoring regardless of shedding star guard Devin Booker.
Booker left the sport with 2:05 remaining within the first quarter and didn’t return due to a proper groin harm. The Suns nonetheless dictated the tempo and constructed a 14-point halftime lead by ending the second quarter on a 19-4 run. Brooks had 23 factors within the first half.
Doncic scored 20 factors within the first quarter for the second consecutive recreation, however in contrast to when he dominated the struggling New Orleans Pelicans, Doncic’s scoring was not sufficient Monday.
Lakers star LeBron James passes to ahead Dalton Knecht in opposition to the Phoenix Suns on Monday evening.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Suns, the league leaders in steals, compelled 12 Lakers turnovers within the first half, which led to 17 factors for Phoenix. The Suns outscored the Lakers 16-0 in fast-break factors.
Lakers guard Marcus Sensible missed a 3rd consecutive recreation, leaving the Lakers with out a stalwart defender and vocal chief. He was beforehand sidelined due to again spasms, however the Lakers designated Monday’s absence as again harm administration. Redick doesn’t imagine the absence shall be long-term as Sensible underwent imaging that was “unremarkable,” Redick mentioned, outdoors of wanting “like a normal 11-year NBA veteran,” the coach added with a smile.
The Lakers might use Sensible’s toughness as they proceed towards a troublesome three-game East Coast journey that begins Thursday in Toronto. They play three video games in 4 days, together with in Boston on Friday and in Philadelphia on Sunday. All three groups are above .500, whereas the Lakers are 4-4 in opposition to such groups.
