Lakers vs. Suns Preview: Key Matchups, Lineups, and What to Watch For
The Lakers and Suns are set to square off in one of the marquee matchups on Tuesday night’s NBA slate - and there’s no shortage of storylines heading into this one. This will be the final stop on a four-game road trip for the Lakers, who opened the stretch with a narrow 116-114 win over these same Suns back on December 14. Phoenix, meanwhile, will be playing its last home game before heading out on its own four-game road swing.
Both teams are sitting in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture. The Lakers come in at 19-8, holding down fourth place in the standings.
They’re looking to bounce back from a tough 103-88 loss to the Clippers on Saturday - a game where the offense never quite found its rhythm. The Suns, at 15-13, currently sit seventh in the West and are also trying to regroup after a 119-116 loss to the Warriors.
So yes, both squads have something to prove tonight.
Projected Starting Lineups
Lakers Starting Five:
- PG: Marcus Smart
- SG: Dalton Knecht
- SF: Jake LaRavia
- PF: LeBron James
- C: Deandre Ayton
With key guards out of the lineup, the Lakers are turning to Marcus Smart to run the offense. Smart’s defensive tenacity is well known, but tonight he’ll be tasked with orchestrating the offense as well - a role he’s more than capable of filling.
Rookie Dalton Knecht gets the nod at shooting guard, while Jake LaRavia slides into the small forward spot. LeBron James and Deandre Ayton round out the frontcourt, giving LA a mix of experience, physicality, and size.
Lakers Depth Chart Highlights:
- Bronny James slots in behind Smart at point guard.
- Nick Smith Jr. provides additional backcourt depth.
- Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber offer versatility off the bench in the forward spots.
- Jaxson Hayes backs up Ayton at center.
Suns Starting Five:
- PG: Collin Gillespie
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Royce O'Neal
- C: Mark Williams
Collin Gillespie gets the start at point guard, and while he’s not a household name, he’s a steady hand who can keep the offense flowing. Devin Booker remains the engine of this Suns team - expect him to shoulder a heavy scoring load, especially with Jalen Green out. Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neal bring toughness on the wing, and Mark Williams anchors the paint.
Injury Report
Lakers:
- Luka Doncic (leg contusion) is out after picking up the injury in the loss to the Clippers.
- Austin Reaves remains sidelined with a calf issue.
- Rui Hachimura is out with a groin injury.
- Gabe Vincent continues to miss time due to a back injury.
That’s a lot of firepower missing for LA, particularly in the backcourt. The absence of Reaves and Doncic shifts even more responsibility onto LeBron and Smart to create offense and control the tempo.
Suns:
- Koby Brea is unavailable due to G-League duties.
- Jalen Green is still nursing a hamstring injury and won’t suit up.
- Grayson Allen is listed as day-to-day with a knee issue.
Green’s absence takes away one of Phoenix’s dynamic scoring threats, and Allen’s status will be something to monitor leading up to tip-off. If he can’t go, the Suns will need extra contributions from the supporting cast.
Key Matchup to Watch: LeBron James vs. Dillon Brooks
Whenever LeBron and Dillon Brooks share the floor, you can expect fireworks - and not just from the scoreboard. These two have a history, and things got heated the last time they faced off.
Brooks drew the defensive assignment on James for most of the night before getting tossed late in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul. LeBron, as he’s done so many times before, closed the game out at the free-throw line.
This matchup isn’t just about the drama. Brooks prides himself on being a physical, in-your-face defender, and he’ll be tested against one of the greatest to ever do it.
LeBron, even in Year 22, continues to control games with a mix of power, poise, and basketball IQ that few can match. Expect him to set the tone early - especially with so many teammates out.
Final Thoughts
Both teams come into this one looking to shake off recent losses and build momentum heading into the new year. For the Lakers, it’s about weathering the injury storm and leaning on LeBron’s leadership to carry them through. For the Suns, it’s a chance to protect home court before embarking on a tough road stretch.
With playoff positioning already starting to take shape in the crowded Western Conference, games like this carry more weight than the calendar might suggest. Expect a competitive, physical battle - and keep an eye on that LeBron-Brooks showdown. It might just be the spark that lights up the night.