The Los Angeles Lakers suffered one of their worst losses of the 2025-26 season to the Phoenix Suns last week, so there was some extra juice going into their most recent matchup. The Lakers and Suns were eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup, setting up a Sunday showdown in Phoenix.
In the first matchup, Phoenix embarrassed Los Angeles through their sheer will and effort on both sides of the floor, with players like Dillon Brooks setting the tone. The Lakers’ lack of athleticism and was exposed, and their inability to take care of the basketball was glaring.
In the rematch, the two teams experienced incredible highs and lows as they traded big leads and runs throughout the evening. The officiating was also suspect, adding even more variability to a game that had several unusual situations occur.
With so many odd events throughout the night, it was only fitting that the game came down to the final seconds. After a wild sequence in the closing moments, Los Angeles was able to come away with a 116-114 victory to get back in the win column.
Austin Reaves being out of the lineup meant LeBron James would assume more offensive responsibility, but it wasn’t the cleanest opening to the game for him as he struggled with turning the basketball over. James committed five turnovers in the first quarter, which allowed Phoenix to take the advantage.
James eventually settled in both as a scorer and distributor, operating out of the post and getting to the rim or free throw line. He played with much more ferocity after a dust up with Dillon Brooks, using his size and physicality to disrupt the Suns’ offense.
In the final moments, LeBron somehow got fouled from beyond the arc and knocked down two of his three free throws to give the Lakers the lead. It wasn’t always fun to look at, but James got the job done with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Jarred Vanderbilt had been benched for his lack of offensive production, but with the Lakers needing a shot in the arm head coach JJ Redick threw him back out on the floor. Vanderbilt repaid his coach’s trust with his best game of the season, playing with non-stop energy.
Vanderbilt will never dominate a game scoring, but he was instrumental in the win thanks to all the effort plays he made. He finished the night with seven points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Lakers had a 24-0 run at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth, which was the franchise’s longest run in the play-by-play era.
What’s next for the Lakers
The Lakers will enjoy a few days off before continuing their road trip on Thursday against the Utah Jazz and then. Saturday against the L.A. Clippers.
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