After falling to the San Antonio Spurs 132-119 in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to take the court again Sunday for what’s essentially a “make-up” game - this time against the Phoenix Suns. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Pacific at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
This matchup offers the Lakers a much-needed chance to regroup and start addressing the defensive cracks that were laid bare against the Spurs. San Antonio didn’t just win - they exposed some fundamental issues in L.A.’s defensive structure.
Transition defense was a step slow, the point-of-attack coverage lacked urgency, and the rotations out to shooters were often late or nonexistent. That’s a recipe for disaster in today’s perimeter-heavy NBA, and the Spurs took full advantage.
Sunday’s game won’t just be about the final score - it’s about recalibrating. The Lakers have to tighten up their defensive communication and clean up their coverage after dribble penetration, especially with a Suns team that can light it up from deep when they find rhythm.
But they’ll have to do it without Austin Reaves, who’s sidelined with a calf strain and will be re-evaluated in about a week. That’s a blow, especially considering Reaves’ growing role as a secondary playmaker and his ability to space the floor. Maxi Kleber is also out with a back issue, further thinning the Lakers’ rotation.
Those absences could open the door for Jarred Vanderbilt to re-enter the mix - something head coach JJ Redick hinted at earlier this week. Vanderbilt has logged just three minutes over the team’s last 10 games, but his defensive versatility could be exactly what the Lakers need right now. He’s not going to stretch the floor or create offense, but he brings switchable defense, toughness on the glass, and the kind of high-motor energy that this team has been missing in spurts.
Vanderbilt’s ability to guard 1 through 4 gives Redick some flexibility, especially if the Lakers want to throw different looks at Phoenix’s wings or disrupt their rhythm on the perimeter. This could be a short-term opportunity, but it’s a meaningful one - both for Vanderbilt and for a Lakers squad that’s trying to rediscover its defensive identity.
With both teams coming off tough losses in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, Sunday’s matchup isn’t just about bouncing back - it’s about setting a tone for the next phase of the season. For the Lakers, that starts with effort, accountability, and finding the right pieces to patch up the holes that San Antonio so clearly exposed.