The Phoenix Suns executed the game plan to achieve a dominant 127-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers during Thursday night’s NBA action. Coach Frank Vogel’s emphasis on increased 3-point shooting and Kevin Durant’s advice to Devin Booker to play more aggressively paid off handsomely.
“I thought the whole game was a positive step in the direction of how we want to play offensively,” Vogel said.
Bradley Beal led the charge with a season-best 37 points, including an impressive eight 3-pointers. Booker contributed 31 points, marking his 10th game this season, scoring 30 or more. Vogel, facing his former team, which he led to the 2020 NBA title, saw this as a positive step toward the Suns’ offensive aspirations.
“It’s something that I’ve been trying to kick myself to do the last five years of my career, to shoot eight-to-10 3-pointers a game,” Beal said. “I worked with my training group back in town and got it back feeling right. Tonight I was confident in it and once it was in my hands just making it flow.”
Hampered by injuries, Beal demonstrated his long-range prowess, nearly matching the Suns’ single-game record for 3-pointers. His 20 points in the third quarter helped the Suns extend their lead significantly.
“I was doing what my teammates asked of me. Having a mate like (Durant) out there to give you that much confidence and let you rock out is huge,” Booker said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Booker’s aggressive start, endorsed by teammate Durant, saw him score 16 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the Suns’ commanding lead. Adding 18 points, Durant emphasized the importance of collective aggressiveness and smart playmaking, ensuring the ball finds its way to the scorers naturally.
“As much as everybody can be aggressive without having to focus on trying to getting me or our best scorers the ball, be aggressive and just make the right play,” Durant said. “The ball is going to find us. Sometimes it is good to reiterate that to your teammates so they can go out there and have a free mind.”
The Suns’ victory broke a five-game losing streak against the Lakers and helped them rebound from a recent 27-point loss to the Clippers.
The Lakers, with D’Angelo Russell leading their scoring off the bench with 19 points, have struggled since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament last month, falling to 5-11. Despite recent wins, this loss pushed them back below a .500 win percentage.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Turnovers were a significant issue for the Lakers, leading to 28 points for the Suns. Coach Darvin Ham recognized the team’s challenges in containing the Suns’ offense.
“We had a bunch of turnovers in the first half, and they made their shots,” Ham said. “I thought we were there at different times and forced them into tough situations, but they capitalized.”
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, who all sat out the fourth quarter, scored 10, 13, and 13 points, respectively. Cam Reddish, starting for the Lakers, didn’t play in the second half due to knee soreness. James acknowledged the Suns’ tactical awareness and the impact of their ‘Big 3’ players.
“I thought they were very aware of what we wanted to do, plus having their Big 3 helped as well,” James said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Suns established a dominant 32-15 lead in the first quarter, and despite the Lakers’ efforts to close the gap, Phoenix maintained control with a decisive 10-2 run in the second quarter, highlighted by Josh Okogie’s dunk and three-point play.
Looking ahead, the Suns will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, while the Lakers are set to travel to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
