The Phoenix Suns had a promising start on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, but their hopes quickly turned to disappointment as they let a commanding 22-point lead slip away in a 123-116 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers. This loss brings the Suns' record to 1-1 for the season.

Early Dominance Fades

Phoenix burst out of the gates, showcasing an explosive offense and strong teamwork. Kevin Durant led the charge with 30 points, four rebounds, and five assists, while Devin Booker contributed 21 points and four assists. The Suns appeared unstoppable in the first quarter, hitting their final six three-point attempts and racking up 14 assists to finish the quarter ahead 38-23.

However, the absence of Grayson Allen (personal reasons) and Josh Okogie (hamstring) forced Phoenix to adjust their rotations, which may have contributed to their downfall as the game progressed.

Lakers Rally from Behind

Despite trailing by 20 points early in the second quarter, the Lakers, led by Anthony Davis’s impressive 35 points and seven rebounds, found their rhythm. By halftime, they managed to cut the deficit to 61-52, capitalizing on the Suns' 13 turnovers and tightening their defense.

The third quarter saw the Lakers continue to chip away at the lead, eventually taking their first lead of the game at 68-67. According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the Lakers outscored the Suns 52-30 from 5:11 left in the first half through the end of the third quarter. As the quarter wound down, Los Angeles led 87-85, flipping the momentum entirely.

Fourth Quarter Struggles

The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but the Lakers extended their lead to double digits early on. The Suns attempted to mount a comeback, narrowing the deficit to six points midway through the quarter. However, a critical three-pointer from Rui Hachimura with just 90 seconds left sealed the deal for Los Angeles and marked a frustrating end for Phoenix.

Key Takeaways

Both teams shot impressively, with the Suns and Lakers both exceeding 50% from the field. However, the Lakers' 51.9% shooting from beyond the arc stood out, especially in contrast to Phoenix's 17 turnovers. The Suns' ability to out-rebound the Lakers 21-12 in the first half became overshadowed by their second-half struggles and turnovers.

What’s Next for the Suns?

The Suns will look to bounce back quickly as they return to Phoenix for their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks. With adjustments needed after this loss, fans will be eager to see how the team responds and whether they can regain their early-season momentum.