Lakers 111 vs. 140 Suns summary: stats, scores and highlight | NBA
The Phoenix Suns lead from start to finish in a blowout win over the slumping Los Angeles Lakers from Footprint Arena. Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points in the 140-111 victory.
Suns start hot, never cooled down
Both teams came into the game with sidelined superstars as the Suns were without Chris Paul and the Lakers without Anthony Davis. The Suns didn’t look like they were short handed at any moment of the night, climbing out to a 26 point lead after the first quarter.
Not for the first time in the last two weeks, the Lakers gave up a 40+ point quarter in a horrific defensive display. They were guilty of if against the New Orleans Pelicans when they were booed off the court in LA, they did so in the Mavs game as well, but never did they give up 48 points.
The 48 point quarter tied the most points scored in a single quarter in the NBA this season, and the Suns used 14 assists and zero turnovers to go up 48-22 after the first twelve minutes.
Ayton had his way down low
It was more of the same for the Suns in the second quarter as Booker continued to make it rain from downtown and Deandre Ayton dominated down low.
The Lakers put LeBron James at center yet again with no Anthony Davis, and Ayton had a field day as a result. He secured a first half double double early in the second quarter.
Transition defense has been a problem all year long for Los Angeles and they were exposed by the Chris Paul-less Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. The Lakers allowed 28 fast break points and the Suns registered 76 points in the paint.
Both sets of starters sat 4th quarter
The Suns lead climbed to over 30 midway through the third quarter and even LeBron James started to reserve energy by not running back on defense. The 37 year old did get some much needed rest in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t a rest that he will like getting down by 27 after three quarters. LeBron finished his night with 31 points and seven rebounds.
Ayton and Booker had their nights cut short too, but they were much more content sitting out the final 12 minutes with a comfortable cushion over Los Angeles. Ayton ended the night with 23 points and 16 rebounds while Booker had 30 points and 10 assists in the blowout win.
AD close to a return?
While things get uglier by the day for the Lakers, there is a hint of some much needed good news as Anthony Davis continues to make his recovery from a mid foot sprain. The LA big man is expected to get back to the hardwood in the next week or two and that would be a sight for sore eyes at Crypto.com Arena.
The Suns remain atop the Western Conference and continue to improve on their top record in the league, while the Lakers are hoping Davis comes back before they slip out of the Play-In spots.
The perfect stroke to cap off a perfect three quarter for Booker, who ended his night with 30 points and 10 assists.
Booker with the steal and slam.
LA was dominated down low all night
D Book... And 1
It was this easy for much of the night for Ayton and the Suns
It was over almost before it began.
It's all over from Phoenix!!! It's been over for a while, but the clock has finally hit 0:00 and the Suns win it in a blowout.
If both sets of starters stayed in the game this was in jeopardy of being a 40 point game or worse. At the moment the Lakers back ups are putting up more than a fight than the starters were. Obviously they are playing against the Suns back ups, but at least the Lakers look like they are playing with a bit of pride. Running back on defense, fighting for rebounds, moving without the ball. All things we didn't see much of with the Lakers first team on the floor.
The wave has started here from the Footprint Arena. The fans are looking for any way to keep themselves entertained in this fourth quarter.
This is a chance for some of the guys deeper down the bench to turn garbage minutes into golden minutes. Bradley has a back to back threes.
Bradley with a three ball to cut the lead to 30!!!
If you're still with us from Footprint Arena I applaud your commitment. This game has been over for the last hour and a half. I think everyone, including the fans who paid good money to see this spotlight Sunday matchup are ready to call it a night.
We are at the end of the third quarter and you can't expect to see much more of the starters for either side on the other side of this quarter change.
A six point spert from the Lakers out of the time out but the still trail by 25.
How much longer will we see the starters in this game? There's no need for the Suns to have their top guys in the game and certainly no need for James to be playing unnecessary minutes.
Booker with another three ball and the Suns lead by 31.
LeBron is in grip and rip mode right now. There's not much for offense from the Lakers, and as a result James is just jacking up what ever he can.
Ayton with another put back after a rebound. The Lakers have no chance of getting back in this game if they can't rebound the Suns' misses.
Booker has been a thief tonight
Lebron drops the three ball and he's got 26 on the night.
Booker whistled for an offensive foul, and that's his fourth of the night. He'll stay in, but that could be a developing story line, and the Lakers only chance back in this game.
Booker just put the dipsy do on Westbrook with a brilliant move in the post.
Booker with his fourth steal of the night, and that leads to an easy bucket on the other end of the court. Once again LeBron neglects to run back after the turnover, and frankly I don't blame him.
We are back underway from Phoenix and we said it in the second quarter, we'll say it at the beginning of the second half. The Lakers need a run, but to get a run they need some stops on the defensive side of the ball.
This clip shows you all you need to know about the Lakers interior struggles.
The Suns Gorilla putting on a show as always. I was curious so I looked up how much he makes, and honestly the $200,000 they are paying him is a steal for the Suns. The Gorilla deserves it all.
Book... And 1
Deandre Ayton has had the size advantage all night and is not afraid to show it.
You had to know Booker would show up big against the Lakers.
LeBRon has 15 to lead the Lakers at half, while Monk has 13. The SUns have 23 assists to the Lakers 8.
Booker leads the Susn with 20 points and 7 assists while Ayton has 18 and 11 rebounds.
The first half is all over from Phoenix. Devin Booker and the Suns put up 79 points in the first two quarters and it has been all Phoenix since the start.
Booker with the big slam off the steal and he's got 20 points before the half.
Reeves for three and the Lakers are going on a little run before halftime. If they can get it under 20 before the half that would be a small victory for Vogel's men.
LA has already given up 21 points on the fast break which is 7 more than their second worst average in the league.
ANother put back for Ayton, and the Lakers are just getting man handled in the post.
Ayton secures a first half double double, and celebrates on the other end with an alley oop. He's got 14 and 10 already.
More transition buckets for the Suns and the lead is back up to 25
Understandably, LeBron James has been caught not running back on defense. Give the guy a break, he is carrying this struggling team and playing an unreasonable amount of minutes for someone his age.
The Suns get an easy bucket out of the timeout, and that's Monty Williams using and executing a timeout to perfection.
Three offensive rebounds lead to a Biombo put back. The Lakers small line up is giving the Suns a lot of opportunity for second chance points.
The Suns have cooled down in this second quarter. They have just 4 points in the first three minutes since the first quarter ended.
There's James going to the rack strong, and that's the first time we have seen him get to the iron off the dribble.
LeBron to Carmelo for assist number 10,000 in his career. Very fitting that two good buds, and former draft class rivals teaming up for that milestone.
How long is it going to take the Lakers to put together a run to try to get back into this game. If they don't the Suns won't mind putting this game to bed early.
Not only did the Suns put up 48 points, but they dished out 14 assists and had 0 TO's.
The Suns score 48 points in the first quarter! That's tied for the most points scored in a quarter this season in the entire NBA.
The Lakers have been embarassed from the start here at Footprint Arena.
There's a 40 point quarter for the Suns to start the game. LA is getting way to used to allowing 40 point quarters. They have done it at least four times since the All-Star Break. Let me check my stats and get back to you with the exact number.
Westbrook with a couple strong drives to the bucket, and that's something we haven't seen too much of this year. Or at least Lakers fans would like to see more of.
The Suns have hit 6 of their last 7 threes after missing their first three long balls.
Bridges from downtown and Vogel has to take his third timeout of the first quarter! It's getting dangerously close to being over already in Phoenix.
James hits a tough three from the corner, but at the moment the Lakers are settling for way to many threes with no ball rotation or movement off the ball.
The Lakers have been guilty of this all to often. Going down big early on and then having to battle back in games just to make the scoreline respectable. It happened against NO, it happened against Dallas and it looks like it's about to happen again.
Once again, transition defense is killing the Lakers. They gave up two straight wid open lay ups to Payne who just hit a three for his seventh straight point.
Booker has officially caught fire. He has the last 10 points for the Suns after that four point play.
Just when you start thinking about how to slow down the big man down low, Booker sticks two straight threes. Timeout Lakers after a 14-0 run by Phoenix.
Ayton with an easy alley oop and that just shows you the advantage the Suns have down low. The Lakers are going to have their hands full keeping him quiet tonight, he's got 8 already.
Ayton might have a field day today. He has been getting better and better as the season goes on. All do respect to LeBron, he is not a center, and many times doesn't play where a center does. That could leave Ayton with big night potential. He's already got 6 pts and 3 rebs.
The Lakers are off to a quick start with everyone getting a piece of the pie. Westbrook's got a bucket, LeBron has a bucket and Monk has a bucket.
We are underway from Phoenix!! Ayton wins the tip and here we go.
LeBron James is back at center for Frank Vogel and the Lakers. He looks like he's starting to get the hang of it over the last few games.
LA's starters on the road
The Phoenix starting 5.
Suns without their star
The Suns have been mediocre without Paul, going 5-4 in their last nine games. Ball handling has been a problem over the course of the last month, and that was evident on Friday when Phoenix turned the ball over 16 times.
Playoff rerun
These two teams met in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. After the Lakers made it though the Play-In Tournament, the Suns awaited them in the opening round. Phoenix won the series in six games after losing at home in Game 2.
No matter who wins tonight, Bismack Biyombo is taking home the MVP
How big is Booker going to be without Paul tonight?
Sunday drip for the Lake Show
Liken Tiger's red on Sunday, LA have their Sunday traditions
Paul and Davis out
Each team will be without a super star for Sunday’s match up in the desert. Chris Paul is still dealing with a fractured thumb he suffered right before the All-Star Break while Anthony Davis is still on the recovery road from a mid foot sprain. Click here for tonight’s full injury report.
Suns have LA's number
The Suns beat the Lakers on both occasions earlier this season, and both were comfortable wins. Chris Paul led Phoenix with 23 points and 14 points in the 115-105 win in LA back in October. Deandre Ayton lifted the Suns with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the 108-90 victory just before Christmas.
Suns in command in West
Despite the two losses in their last four, the Suns are still 53-14 and have a 7.5 game lead over the second placed Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers look destined to have to fight through the Play-In Tournament sitting in 9th coming into tonight at 29-37. They are 10 games back of the 6th placed Nuggets and just three games ahead of the Portland Trailblazers.
Suns aren't the Suns without Paul
The Suns haven’t lost much this year, but they are coming off of a home defeat to the Toronto Raptors. That was their second loss in four games, and Phoenix could be showing some signs of missing Chris Paul who has been out for the last month.
Lakers looking for two in a row
The Lakers are coming off of a rare win on Friday night. LeBron James had a 50 point performance for the second time in his last three games as Los Angeles beat the Washington Wizards 122-109 at the Crypto.com Arena.
We are live from Footprint Arena
Hello everyone and welcome to Arizona where the top team in the league will host a Lakers team that is in desperate need of a win streak to ease some of the nerves in LA as we near seasons end.
Lakers vs. Suns
The league leading Phoenix Suns host the slumping Los Angeles Lakers to wrap up the week in the NBA. AS English will be with you every step of the way with live coverage, stats and analysis of tonights game from Footprint Arena.