Arizona Republic breaks down Suns’ wild win over Warriors
The Arizona Republic breaks down the final moments of the Phoenix Suns’ wild win over the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 18, 2025.
Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott is comfortable with a dust-up or two when his team plays.
“Every night is a big night for us,” Ott said. “We play a certain style. There’s going to be some friction out there in some games by our style of play, and that’s OK.”
Expect some significant friction when the Suns (15-13) host the Lakers (19-8) for the second time this month on Tuesday night, Dec. 23, at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Probably the same amount,” Suns big Oso Ighodaro said after morning shootaround at the team’s practice facility. “Hopefully, DB (Dillon Brooks) doesn’t get any more techs. We need him, but it’s a competitive game.
“We have competitors on the team, so stuff like that just happens sometimes. As long as it doesn’t take away from winning, it’s part of the game.”
The 7 p.m. MST game will be televised on 3TV and Arizona’s Family Sports.
“It’s just a regular game for me,” Suns guard Collin Gillespie said. “It’s our most important game because it’s our next game. That’s how I look at it. I don’t look at it with anything else.”
There were five technical fouls in Phoenix’s 116-114 home loss to the Lakers on Dec. 14. Brooks was ejected with 12.3 seconds left.
“That’s kind of crazy. I didn’t know that,” Gillespie said. “Five techs? That’s good stuff.”
Brooks had just hit a 3 as Phoenix trailed by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter, but he drew a second technical foul for unsportsmanlike physical contact with James during a dead-ball situation as the Lakers called a timeout.
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Suns coach Jordan Ott: “Every night is a big night for us. We play a certain style. There’s going to be some friction out there in some games by our style of play and that’s OK.”
So how much friction will there be in tonight’s Suns-Lakers game at Mortgage Matchup Center?
Oso… pic.twitter.com/Pv2vubkowp
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 23, 2025Balanced Suns up double digits at half
The Phoenix Suns have used balanced scoring in taking a 67-57 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker each scored a team-high 13 points. Mark Williams has 10 points and six rebounds, Royce O’Neale is at nine points, and two-way player Jamaree Bouyea has eight off the bench.
The Suns are shooting 60% from the field, scoring 11 points off 10 Lakers turnovers.
LeBron James leads all scorers with 18 points for the Lakers, while Austin Reaves has 11 off the bench after missing three games with a left calf strain.
The Suns have led by as many as 13 points over the Lakers, who are without injured Luka Doncic.
Reaves coming off bench in return
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said he’ll monitor the minutes of Austin Reaves, who is returning from a left calf strain that sidelined him for the past three games.
Reaves will come off the bench against the Suns.
The Lakers are starting Nick Smith Jr., Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton, who started his career in Phoenix.
Having Reaves come off the bench can help monitor his minutes and give him some in reserve if needed in the fourth quarter. Reaves is averaging a career-high 27.8 points this season.
The Suns are starting Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams.
Green, Allen, Doncic out; Reaves in
The Suns remain down Jalen Green (right hamstring strain), who will be re-evaluated for a second time in 2-to-3 weeks. He’s played in only two games in his first season in Phoenix and will miss his 19th consecutive game on Dec. 23.
“He’s been the same guy ever since the injury happened,” Gillespie said. “It’s a really tough spot for him to be in, wanting to be out there, but he’s just had a positive attitude. Encouraged every guy here. Been the biggest cheerleader for every guy that we’ve had.
“He’s been super important for our team. Always brings great energy, good vibes and we can’t wait to get him back.”
Grayson Allen (right knee injury management) has been downgraded from doubtful to out. He sat out the past two games, having been listed as questionable for those matchups against Golden State before being ruled out.
The Lakers are down Luka Doncic (lower left leg contusion), Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) and Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain), but Austin Reaves is available after missing the Lakers’ past three games with a left calf strain.
Reaves was previously listed as questionable.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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