Suns Dominate Shorthanded Lakers: Breaking Down a Rough Night in Phoenix
Whether it was the absence of Luka Dončić, Gabe Vincent, and Rui Hachimura-or just a deeper issue with execution-the Lakers didn’t have much fight in them against a locked-in Suns squad. Phoenix took control early, built a double-digit lead by halftime, and then turned it into a full-on rout in the third quarter, stretching the margin to as much as 29.
For the Lakers, this wasn’t just a bad night-it marked their first losing streak of the season, and the cracks are starting to show. From struggling to protect the paint to failing to keep up with Phoenix’s tempo, this game exposed some real concerns. Let’s dive into the performance, player by player.
LeBron James - 26 MIN, 23 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST, 7-14 FG, 3-5 3PT, 6-11 FT, -18
Even in a blowout, LeBron continues to be a steady hand. He was efficient from the floor, took care of the ball (zero turnovers), and created for others with six assists. While the Lakers were unraveling, he was one of the few who looked composed.
He didn’t play in the fourth quarter-no need to risk anything when the game’s already decided. At this stage of the season, keeping LeBron healthy is more important than chasing a comeback that isn’t there.
Grade: B+
Austin Reaves - 22 MIN, 17 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 3 TO, 4 PF, 6-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-5 FT, -17
Back from a calf strain, Reaves came off the bench and looked solid. He didn’t force much, found his rhythm quickly, and gave the Lakers a bit of offensive punch. The three-point shot wasn’t falling, but he showed enough to suggest he’ll be back in the starting five sooner than later-possibly as early as Christmas Day.
Grade: B
Deandre Ayton - 27 MIN, 12 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 2 TO, 2 PF, 6-8 FG, -23
Ayton made his return from injury and delivered a double-double, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Offensively, he picked his spots well.
Defensively, though, he struggled to hold the line. Mark Williams had his way inside, and Ayton couldn’t provide the rim protection the Lakers sorely needed.
Grade: C-
Jake LaRavia - 29 MIN, 12 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 4-8 FG, 2-3 3PT, -11
LaRavia had a little bit of everything in this one-some timely threes, a couple of defensive highlights-but also a handful of lapses that Phoenix capitalized on. He’s just not quick enough laterally to keep up with aggressive drivers like Devin Booker or Dillon Brooks. The effort was there, but the impact was inconsistent.
Grade: D
Nick Smith Jr. - 28 MIN, 12 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 TO, 2 PF, 5-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, -9
JJ Redick rolled the dice by starting Smith Jr., and it didn’t pan out. He came out aggressive, but it was too much too soon-forcing shots and getting burned on the other end.
That performance against Portland was promising, but this game was a reminder that he’s still developing. Right now, he looks more like a two-way player than a rotation mainstay.
Grade: F
Marcus Smart - 30 MIN, 14 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 1 TO, 3 PF, 5-11 FG, 4-8 3PT, -19
Smart did what he does-hit some threes, moved the ball, played hard. But with the Lakers hemorrhaging points, they needed someone to spark the offense and keep pace with the Suns. That’s not exactly Smart’s game, and while he wasn’t bad, he also didn’t shift the momentum.
Grade: C
Jarred Vanderbilt - 20 MIN, 5 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 TO, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, -28
Vando’s energy is always appreciated, but when the team is already down big, it’s hard for him to make a difference. He’s not a scoring threat, and in a game where the Lakers desperately needed offense, his minutes didn’t move the needle.
Grade: D
Dalton Knecht - 14 MIN, 3 PTS, 3 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, -2
Knecht’s minutes mostly came in garbage time, and he didn’t do much to stand out. The shot wasn’t falling, and he looked a step behind. These are the kinds of games where young players can make a case for more minutes-Knecht didn’t do that.
Grade: F
Adou Thiero - 14 MIN, 6 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO, 2-5 FG, +6
Thiero got some late run and made the most of it. His energy was noticeable, and he filled the stat sheet in limited time. These were low-stakes minutes, but he played with purpose and didn’t look out of place.
Grade: C
Bronny James - 10 MIN, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO, 0-2 FG, +5
Bronny checked in late, and while he didn’t score, he was part of a group that at least stabilized things a bit. Still, not much to take away from this showing.
Grade: F
Chris Mañon, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber
This trio didn’t see enough action to earn a grade. Hayes left early with ankle soreness, so his status will be something to monitor ahead of the next game.
JJ Redick - Head Coach
Redick’s decision to start Smith Jr. backfired. Reaves looked ready, and holding him out of the starting five seemed overly cautious.
The early minutes for Knecht didn’t help either, and defensively, the Lakers looked disorganized and reactive. Whether it’s on the players or the scheme, this one falls on the coach too.
Grade: F
Bottom Line:
This wasn’t just a bad loss-it was a wake-up call.
The Lakers are banged up, but even with that caveat, their lack of defensive cohesion and inability to generate consistent offense is concerning. With a Christmas Day matchup against the Rockets on deck, they’ll need to regroup fast.
The margin for error in the West is razor-thin, and nights like this can’t become a trend.