Lakers Fall Short in Phoenix: A Game of Inches and Missed Opportunities
In a thrilling showdown at the Mortgage Matchup Center, the Lakers found themselves on the wrong side of a nail-biter, falling 113-110 to the Suns. Despite a valiant late-game surge led by Luka Dončić, the Lakers couldn't overcome a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Royce O’Neale's clutch 3-pointer with just 0.9 seconds left was the dagger that sealed the Lakers' fate.
The Lakers had one last chance to force overtime. With a perfectly executed play, LeBron James and Maxi Kleber set a sharp elevator screen to free Austin Reaves for a corner three. The shot looked good but rimmed out at the buzzer, handing the Lakers their third consecutive loss.
Coach JJ Redick reflected on the game, noting, "Tonight was a one-possession clutch game. Now, we've lost a few of those, but we've been great for the most part in the clutch all year."
Luka Dončić was a force to be reckoned with, delivering a stellar performance with 41 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. His two clutch 3s late in the fourth kept the Lakers in the fight, supported by an all-around team effort in the final minutes. However, the energy and intensity that fueled their comeback were missing for much of the game.
LeBron James contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Meanwhile, the Suns, missing key players Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, outworked the Lakers with hustle and sharp shooting.
Standings Update
The Lakers now find themselves at 34-24, precariously close to the play-in spot. They remain sixth in the Western Conference but are just one game away from slipping to seventh, where the Suns currently stand. With five losses in their last seven games, the pressure is mounting.
Key Moments: Suns' Sharp Shooting and Hustle
The Suns didn't just rely on O’Neale's final shot. Their success was built on a foundation of perimeter shooting, hitting 22 three-pointers at a 44% clip-double what the Lakers managed. This outside shooting, combined with relentless effort on the boards, led to 15 offensive rebounds and 14 second-chance points.
Gamebreaker: Collin Gillespie
While Grayson Allen's 28 points off the bench were impressive, Collin Gillespie emerged as the gamebreaker. He drained four of his six 3s in the decisive fourth quarter, including a crucial shot after Dončić's big-time 3. Gillespie's pump fake had Dončić biting, allowing him to extend the Suns' lead to five.
Gillespie finished with 21 points in 31 minutes, while Allen also contributed six 3s to the Suns' tally.
The Lakers will need to regroup and find consistency if they hope to solidify their playoff position in the tightly contested Western Conference.