Phoenix Suns Dominate Lakers with Beal and Durant’s Return, Snap Five-Game Losing Streak
The Phoenix Suns looked revitalized on Tuesday night, as Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant returned to the lineup and helped secure a dominant 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Their contributions, combined with a stellar performance by Devin Booker, propelled the Suns to end their five-game losing streak in convincing fashion.
Booker led the charge with 26 points and 10 assists, while Durant and Beal each added 23 points. Both stars had been sidelined due to left calf strains—Beal missing the last five games and Durant sitting out seven. Beal showed little rust, going 10-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The Lakers, now on a three-game losing skid, were led by Anthony Davis, who posted a strong double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron James contributed 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with a surging Suns team.
Third-Quarter Surge Propels Suns
Phoenix seized control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 36-18. Booker ignited the run with 11 points in the period, while Jusuf Nurkic chipped in 10. The Suns turned a tight contest into a commanding 98-78 lead heading into the final frame. The Lakers struggled mightily in the third quarter for the second consecutive game, having been outscored 37-15 in the same stretch against the Denver Nuggets earlier this week.
Key Takeaways
Lakers:
The Lakers were competitive in the first half but faltered after halftime. Their struggles from deep were a major factor, hitting just 8-of-34 (23.5%) from three-point range. D’Angelo Russell contributed 16 points, and Austin Reaves added 15, but the offensive inconsistency doomed them once again.
Suns:
The Suns looked more cohesive with Durant and Beal back in action. Jusuf Nurkic overcame early struggles to finish with a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds). Grayson Allen provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, while Royce O’Neale hit three clutch three-pointers to help build the Suns’ second-half advantage.
Key Moment
Devin Booker took over during a decisive 14-2 Suns run midway through the third quarter, making three consecutive baskets to extend Phoenix’s lead to 86-72. The Lakers were unable to recover after this pivotal stretch.
Key Stat
The Suns boast a 9-1 record when Kevin Durant is in the lineup, underscoring his critical impact. Without him, they have struggled, going just 1-6.
What’s Next
The Suns will aim to build on this momentum as they host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will look to snap their losing streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on the same evening.