The Phoenix Suns may have delivered their most complete performance of the season Monday night - and they did it in one of the toughest buildings in the league. With Devin Booker exiting early due to a groin injury, it could’ve been a night where the wheels came off. Instead, Phoenix dug in and stunned the Los Angeles Lakers on their home floor, snapping a two-game skid in the process.
This one had all the makings of a statement win, and not just because of the final score. The Suns didn’t just beat the Lakers - they outworked them.
They brought the kind of energy that travels, the kind that doesn’t flinch when a star goes down. And that’s exactly what Phoenix needed with Booker sidelined after just 10 minutes of action.
Austin Reaves: “We played like st”**
You didn’t need to read between the lines to know how Austin Reaves felt about the loss. The Lakers guard, who finished with 16 points, didn’t sugarcoat anything postgame. His frustration was raw and real.
“We played like s**t,” Reaves said. “It’s one of those games.
We played bad, they played harder than us. That can’t happen.”
That’s not just venting - that’s a player calling out his team’s effort. The Lakers turned the ball over 22 times, which led directly to 32 points for the Suns.
Luka Doncic accounted for nine of those giveaways, Reaves had five himself, and even LeBron James added three. In a game where Phoenix was missing its top scorer, those kinds of lapses are backbreakers.
Reaves admitted as much, saying, “I dribbled the ball literally…” - a moment that summed up the Lakers’ sloppiness and lack of urgency on both ends of the floor.
Luka Doncic shines - but it’s not enough
Let’s be clear: Luka Doncic was sensational. He poured in 38 points and hit a string of absurd shots that only a handful of players in the world can make.
He controlled the tempo, played with poise, and gave the Lakers every chance to win. But when a performance like that ends in a loss, it’s a gut punch - and a wasted opportunity.
The Lakers had the best player on the floor, but the Suns had the better team effort. That’s where the difference was made.
Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks step up
With Booker sidelined, Phoenix needed someone to take command - and Collin Gillespie answered the call. He didn’t just fill in; he helped flip the game.
Gillespie was aggressive, confident, and efficient, earning early praise as the game’s first-quarter MVP. He finished 8-of-14 from the field and played with the kind of composure that belied his role.
Dillon Brooks was right there with him, bringing his trademark edge and intensity. Together, they gave the Suns the spark they needed to weather Booker’s absence and keep the pressure on L.A. all night.
Mark Williams makes his presence felt
In the paint, Mark Williams was a difference-maker. He battled former Suns No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton - who’s had a solid season in L.A. - and came out on top in the key moments. Williams’ rim protection and rebounding gave Phoenix a defensive backbone, and his ability to alter shots without fouling helped them close out possessions.
Ryan Dunn gives the Suns a boost off the bench
Ryan Dunn didn’t play heavy minutes, but his impact was felt. Coming off the bench, he provided a jolt of energy and reminded head coach Jordan Ott why he’s a valuable rotation piece. In a game where depth mattered, Dunn’s contribution helped Phoenix maintain its edge.
Lakers lack urgency - and it cost them
The Lakers have star power. Doncic is a nightly problem for opposing defenses.
Reaves is a proven scorer. And LeBron James - even as a third option - still commands respect every time he steps on the court.
But what they lacked Monday was the grit and urgency that Phoenix brought in waves.
This wasn’t about talent. It was about effort.
The Suns played like a team with something to prove, while the Lakers looked like a group expecting the game to come to them. That mentality difference was the story of the night.
Phoenix may not have the flashiest roster, especially without Booker on the floor, but they’re building something real. A “next man up” mentality.
A defensive identity. A team-first approach that’s starting to translate into wins - even against elite competition.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will have to look in the mirror. Because games like this aren’t lost on talent.
They’re lost on effort. And that’s exactly what Austin Reaves was getting at.