Who: Los Angeles Lakers (34-23) @ Phoenix Suns (33-26)
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Yes Network
Listen: KMVP 98.7
It’s been rough for the Phoenix Suns ever since play resumed after the All-Star break. 1-3 in their last four, Phoenix has struggled to hit the broad side of a barn lately as the team continues to deal with injuries. Since the break, the team hasn’t shot better than 38% from the field and their lone
win was the first time any NBA team had won a game shooting under 35% from the field since 2023.
Devin Booker remains out for at least one more contest, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin are out for a minimum of 4-6 and 1-2 weeks.
The good news for the Suns? After tonight’s contest, they don’t play again until Tuesday, where they’ll face the Sacramento Kings, who recently snapped a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak, losing 16 of their last 17 games.
But tonight’s contest will be a tough and important one. Separated by just two games in the standings, the Lakers are ahead of the Suns for the last spot in the top-six of the Western Conference standings.
Because of where they finished in the In-Season Tournament, the Suns and Lakers will play five times in the regular season, meaning someone will win the season series. Phoenix is up 2-1 so far and tonight is their last chance to win the series at home. The winner of the season series could play a pivotal roll at the end of the year standings.
Can Phoenix pull off the win tonight amid all their injuries?
Starting Lineups
Injury Report
Suns
- Cole Anthony — OUT (Not with Team)
- Devin Booker — OUT (Right Hip Strain)
- Dillon Brooks — OUT (Left Hand Fracture)
- Jordan Goodwin — OUT (Left Calf Strain)
- Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Right Knee Injury Management)
Lakers
- Rui Hachimura — QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
- Jaxon Hayes — PROBABLE (Right Ankle Sprain)
- Bronny James — OUT (G League Assignment)
- Adou Thiero — OUT (G League Assignment)
What to Watch For
Can the Suns’ offense finally turn it around? The Lakers aren’t necessarily world beaters on defense, sitting in the middle of the pack when it comes to defensive rating, but neither are the Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix put up a measly 77 points.
Can offseason addition Jalen Green start to get in an offensive rhythm after an inconsistent start to his Suns career? Averaging 13 points per game on 37% from the field and 29% from three, Green has struggled to be a consistent offensive threat, with the usually dynamic scorer having only two 20-point games in his first 11 with his new team, and just one game where he shot at least 50% from the field.
Against a Lakers team that allowed guards Benedict Mathurin, Payton Pritchard, and Desmond Bane to have 20+ scoring outings recently, can Green put together a strong offensive performance?
Key to a Suns Win
The offense needs to improve. Whether Devin Booker misses more than one more game and Dillon Brooks is out closer to six weeks than four, the Suns’ offense needs to be better and just flat out knock down more shots. Putting up 77 and 81 points in consecutive games doesn’t cut it, no matter how good your defense plays. This isn’t the 1990s NBA. Phoenix needs to shoot better from the field.
The Suns were able to beat the Lakers back in December when Devin Booker left early in the contest, but they had Dillon Brooks for that game. On top of playing better on offense, they’re going to need to play strong collective defense against one of the most explosive big threes in the NBA in Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. The Suns can win down players, they’re 6-9 without Booker, the question is, playing without him and Brooks too much to ask for the rest of the team?
Prediction
Look for the Suns to come out with a lot of energy and hustle in this important matchup. I just don’t think they have enough offensive firepower to put up with a Lakers team that ,while flawed, has strong moments offensively and is hungry to get back in the win column after two devastating losses.
Lakers 104, Suns 98
