The Phoenix Suns (15-13) hosted the Los Angeles Lakers (19-8) at Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night.ax
Both teams had met recently earlier in December, in Phoenix, where Los Angeles came away with the win.
“I think we learned a lot from the last game,” Suns center Mark Williams said. “We got out rebounded and they won the possession game. Tonight, we were really focused on that. Got back to what we do, playing hard, playing fast, and I think the result took care of themselves.”
The Lakers sat fourth in the Western Conference, while the Suns sat seventh in the West.
“Every night in the West, it is a battle,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said. “We’re glad to be in these arenas and in these fights.”
The Lakers had a great roster, with LeBron James averaging 20.3 points per game and Austin Reaves averaging 27.8 PPG.
“Austin is playing at a high level,” Ott told reporters before the game. “They still have LeBron James, DeAndre was great, the last game we played against them, so we expect some of the same.”
Former Suns player DeAndre Ayton was also playing efficiently for the Lakers, with 15.3 PPG and 9 rebounds per game.
The Lakers were without Rui Hachimura (groin) and Gabe Vincent (back), but most importantly, were without superstar point guard Luka Doncic (leg).
Doncic had been averaging 34.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 8.8 assists per game.
Doncic’s 34.1 PPG led the entire NBA among players.
It was a big blow for the Lakers but could be a factor for Phoenix to exploit.
As for the Suns, they were without Grayson Allen (knee) and Jalen Green (hamstring).
“It’s been steady progress,” Ott said regarding Green’s health. “No change, just steady progress. The absence is hard for a hooper. He really just wants to go out there and play.”
The Suns had their own stars, with Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks averaging 20+ PPG.
“He’s incredible,” Ott said regarding Brooks. “He continues to grow; he just keeps getting better, and that’s what I’ve seen from afar. He proves that he can do it at a high level, no matter who’s on the court with him.”
Booker led the team in assists with 6.4 APG.
Williams led the team in rebounds with 8 RPG and had 12.6 PPG.
Considering the two teams’ last meeting, it was anyone’s game.
The big headline involved Brooks and James, who have had altercation after altercation since 2023, including an ejection on Brooks in their most recent meeting.
“We feed off of it,” Ott said regarding Brooks’ energy. “We talked about it, just get to the edge. How we handle emotions of these competitive games. We’ll take all the energy and emotion he has; we just don’t want to go over that line.”
After the end of the first quarter, the Suns held a 29-26 lead.
Ayton led the way for the Lakers in the first, with six points and four rebounds, while Booker had seven points for Phoenix.
Brooks had six points, and he was going at it with James, guarding each other, while chirping each time a basket was seemingly scored.
Jamaree Bouyea of the Suns had six points off the bench.
“He’s been through it,” Ott said regarding Bouyea. “There’s no moment that’s too big. The stretch of the teams we’ve played and we’re throwing him out there, that’s not easy. Now he’s out there playing a big piece we’re doing, especially in that second unit when Booker is off the floor.”
Entering the second half, the Suns held a lead of 67-57.
James of the Lakers led the way with 18 points but was only 6-for-11 when shooting from the line. Reaves was behind him with 11 points.
Ayton had eight points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles and looked on track to get a double-double.
Brooks and Booker both had 13 points, and neither were afraid to push into the paint.
Williams had 10 points for Phoenix entering the third quarter.
“Just being more vocal,” Williams said on the team’s defensive performance. “I think it’s something I’ve improved on but just being vocal, being decisive if we need to stay on our matchups, but really just being vocal. I think it’s really important and I think we’ve done a good job so far, but I think we need to get better at the same time.”
Early in the third quarter, the Suns went on a quick 10-2 run, giving Phoenix an 18-point lead.
“It’s easy to lose your focus,” Ott said. “That’s not what this group does. Every night they bring the juice; they bring the energy. Hopefully we’ll play like this every night, not just December 23rd, it’s every night.
Entering the fourth, the Suns looked to have this game wrapped up, as they led 112-86.
“Just coming out of halftime with the right intensity,” Williams said. “It’s getting better with each game.”
Lebron led the way for the Lakers with 23 points. As for Ayton, he was still yet to hit ten rebounds.
As for the Suns, the entire starting five had scored at least 10 points, with Brooks leading the way with 25, while Booker was right behind him with 21 points.
“Playing hard is a skill,” Ott said. “It’s something that is often lost because it’s hard to analytically put a value on it. They got a good thing going and it’s great. You have your best players off the floor, and those guys are able to maintain it or increase the lead. Individually, they’re really good, but collectively, they do seem to be finding somewhat of a groove.”
Booker had a double-double, having gotten 21 points and 11 assists.
In the end, the Suns didn’t look back, winning 132-108 in dominating fashion.
“It was a good beat down,” Williams said regarding the win. “We had a good game. Sometimes it’s not about you, getting Booker the open pass or open shots. Just making my life easier.”
James finished with 23 points, while Ayton was able to get his double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Reaves finished with 17 points.
While Brooks didn’t finish with an assist or rebounds, he finished with 25 points, showcasing his skills on the defensive side.
Booker finished with 21 points and 11 assists. Williams nearly got a double-double, with 18 points and nine rebounds.
“I thought Williams was fantastic,” Ott said. “We needed him and we got him tonight and we thought it was fantastic.”
Despite many expecting James and Brooks to have some scuffle, the most the two did was exchange words during baskets.
Phoenix jumps to 16-13 while the Lakers fall to 19-9.
This marks the Suns’ final home game of 2025, as they don’t play again until January 2nd against the Sacramento Kings.
The Suns will visit the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Friday.