The Los Angeles Lakers saw their remarkable seven-game winning streak badly dissected in a heavy 125-108 defeat against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on Monday. Despite Luka Doncic’s 38 points and 11 rebounds, the Lakers committed 22 turnovers which Phoenix converted into 32 points, exploiting critical flaws in Los Angeles’ defense.
LeBron James, working his way through a left foot injury, was mostly subdued for most of the game and didn’t reach double figures until deep in the fourth quarter, just barely continuing his streak of consecutive games with at least 10 points. Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with an authoritative 33-point display as Phoenix continued to maintain offensive dominance even after their star Devin Booker exited early into the game due to a groin injury.
The Suns forced 12 turnovers in the first half alone and outscored the Lakers 16-0 in fastbreak points to build a 14-point halftime lead, showing why they have the league’s best defense. The Lakers also were without key defender Marcus Smart for a second straight game because of injury management in his back, adding to their defensive issues ahead of a difficult three-game East Coast road trip that begins Thursday.
With three looming tough games against winning teams in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, the Lakers will have to buckle down on defense and take care of the ball if they hope to remain competitive through this daunting stretch of the NBA season.
This defeat brings into focus the weaknesses in the Lakers’ game despite individual scoring feats and sets them up for their resilience being tested on the road in the coming week.
