The Phoenix Suns snapped a five-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, rolling past the Los Angeles Lakers 127-100 on Tuesday night.
Devin Booker led the way with 26 points and 10 assists, but the real headline was the return of Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant, who each chipped in 23 points to help Phoenix regain its rhythm.
Beal, sidelined for the past five games with a strained left calf, looked sharp in his return. The All-Star guard connected on 10 of his 15 shots, including three from beyond the arc, reminding everyone of the offensive firepower Phoenix had been missing. Durant, who had missed seven straight games with the same injury, was equally impactful, showing no signs of rust as he added his usual scoring punch.
For the Lakers, Anthony Davis led the effort with 25 points and 15 rebounds, continuing his strong play despite Los Angeles dropping its third consecutive game. LeBron James contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists, but the Lakers struggled to find consistent offense, particularly in the second half.
The turning point came in the third quarter when the Suns outscored the Lakers 36-18, turning a tight contest into a comfortable 98-78 lead. Booker ignited the surge with 11 points during the run, while Jusuf Nurkic, who had a slow start, found his groove and finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
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Phoenix’s third-quarter dominance wasn’t just about scoring—it was a complete defensive shutdown. The Lakers, who were relatively efficient in the first half, went ice-cold after the break, shooting just 23.5% (8 of 34) from beyond the arc for the game. D’Angelo Russell added 16 points, and Austin Reaves chipped in 15, but their efforts weren’t enough to keep pace with the surging Suns.
Grayson Allen provided a spark off the bench for Phoenix with 10 points, while Royce O’Neale knocked down three critical three-pointers, helping to build and sustain the Suns’ second-half lead. The Suns’ bench contributions, coupled with the return of their stars, painted a picture of a team finally returning to full strength.
The most critical sequence came midway through the third quarter. Booker, locked in offensively, drained three consecutive shots during a 14-2 run that pushed Phoenix’s lead to 86-72. From that point on, the Suns never looked back, controlling the pace and tempo through the final buzzer.
The Suns’ ability to rediscover their offensive identity with Durant and Beal back on the floor was on full display. When Durant has been in the lineup this season, Phoenix holds a stellar 9-1 record. Without him? A dismal 1-6. It’s clear that his presence, along with Beal’s, transforms the Suns into a formidable contender.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, continues to face questions about its depth and shooting consistency. While Davis and James continue to anchor the team, the Lakers will need more from their supporting cast if they hope to reverse their recent skid.
Phoenix’s victory also highlighted Nurkic’s importance in the paint. After a shaky start to the season, his double-double performance against the Lakers—especially on the glass—was a reminder of his potential impact when fully engaged.
As the Suns prepare to host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, they’ll look to build on this momentum and continue their climb up the Western Conference standings. The Lakers, on the other hand, face a quick turnaround as they hit the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs, hoping to snap their losing streak and regain their footing.
With Beal and Durant back in the fold, the Suns look poised to establish themselves as a legitimate contender once again, and Tuesday night’s dominant win over the Lakers may be just the beginning.
