Lakers Routed at Home by Suns as LeBron’s Longevity Faces New Test
The Los Angeles Lakers took a hard hit Monday night, getting thoroughly outplayed on their home floor by a Phoenix Suns team that didn’t even have Devin Booker for most of the game. Booker exited early due to injury, but it hardly mattered-Phoenix was in control from the jump, and the Lakers never found their footing.
What made this one sting even more for L.A. was that they were nearly at full strength. No major absences, no built-in excuses. The effort just wasn’t there, and Phoenix made them pay.
For a moment, the night threatened to snap one of the most remarkable streaks in NBA history: LeBron James’ run of consecutive double-digit scoring games, which dates all the way back to 2007. But with the game well out of reach in the fourth quarter, the Lakers made sure to keep feeding their leader the ball. A few late buckets kept the streak alive, pushing it forward for at least another night.
After the game, LeBron was candid when asked about the foot issue that sidelined him the night before against New Orleans. His response? Vintage LeBron-equal parts honesty and humor.
“It’s called old,” he said. “You just wake up with s- that you didn’t have the night before.”
It’s a line that resonates even more when you consider that James is turning 41 later this month. He’s now the only player in NBA history to suit up for a 23rd season. That’s uncharted territory, and while the milestone is impressive, it comes with its share of challenges.
So far this season, LeBron’s role has shifted. He’s not the primary engine every night-Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have taken on more of the offensive load.
And while James has shown flashes of his old brilliance, the consistency just isn’t what it used to be. That’s not a knock-it’s just the reality of time catching up, even to someone who’s defied it longer than most.
The silver lining for the Lakers? They’ve had a relatively soft stretch in the schedule, which has allowed James to ease back in without the team taking too much damage in the standings. But that cushion won’t last long.
Things get real starting Thursday night, when the Lakers begin an Eastern Conference road swing. First up: the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m.
ET. Then it’s on to Boston to face the Celtics-a matchup that always brings a little extra juice, no matter the year.
If the Lakers want to stay in the thick of the Western Conference race, they’ll need more than just LeBron’s legacy. They’ll need cohesion, urgency, and some serious two-way effort. Monday night’s loss was a reminder that even with all their talent, nothing is guaranteed-especially when Father Time is lurking just off the baseline.