PHOENIX — Even with Luka Doncic, in addition to Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, unavailable to play on Tuesday night, there weren’t many indicators that the Lakers were on the precipice of one of their worst defensive performances of the season.
But that’s exactly what came to fruition in their 132-108 defeat to the Suns, their first consecutive losses of the season dropping them to 19-9 overall and 4-5 in December.
Coming off Saturday night’s loss to the Clippers, the Lakers’ pregame energy felt higher on Tuesday than it did over the weekend. Coach JJ Redick was in a jovial mood as one of the team’s stars, Austin Reaves, was set to make his return after being sidelined for nearly two weeks because of a calf injury.
LeBron James, who led the Lakers with 23 points and six assists against the Suns, found a rhythm offensively after not looking like his typical self in his first handful of games after making his season debut.
But the Lakers didn’t do what was necessary to keep pace with – or slow – a Suns team they know will punish opponents for mistakes.
Their ball containment was weak, with the Suns (16-13), led by Dillon Brooks (24 points) and Devin Booker (21 points, 11 assists) getting into the teeth of the Lakers’ defense at will and scoring 62 points in the paint.
The Lakers’ off-ball defense was lacking, allowing multiple Phoenix players to cut into the paint for easy layups or dunks.
And their help defense was even more concerning – several times Lakers were either late or didn’t show the effort to stop the Suns once they did get near the rim.
The result was the Suns shooting 58.8% from the field (50 for 85) and 41.2% from 3-point range (14 for 34).
And one of the Lakers’ typical advantages – the free-throw line – didn’t go in their favor since they shot 18 for 29 from the foul line compared to the Suns’ 18-of-20 effort.
Reaves had 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench in his first game since Dec. 10, but struggled with fouling (four) in his 22 minutes.
The Suns – who have won two out of three against the Lakers this season – led by 10 at halftime and quickly pushed that advantage to 99-72 midway through the third quarter. They took a 112-86 lead into the fourth after scoring 45 points in the third on 16-of-22 (72.7%) shooting. Brooks scored 12 points in the third and finished 10 for 15 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range.
All five Suns starters scored in double figures. Mark Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Collin Gillespie scored 16. Booker added 11 assists.
More to come on this story.
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