As a result of losing to the Spurs in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal game, the Lakers will play the Suns on Sunday.
Each team will play two games over the roughly two-week span of the NBA Cup’s knockout rounds. While all the teams that did not make the knockout rounds had their two games scheduled, the Lakers had to wait for the result of the Western Conference quarterfinals games on Wednesday, including their own contest.
This game will count as a regular season game. It also means that the Lakers and Suns will play five times this season. The two sides were already scheduled to meet four times because they’re a Pacific Division foe.
Because of the extra game, it could also factor into potential tiebreakers. On top of it meaning the Suns and Lakers can’t finish with an even 2-2 record, divisional records are also one of the tiebreakers.
Obviously, the two teams recently met with things certainly not going in the Lakers favor. The physical Suns took it to LA, winning 125-108 in a scoreline that does not paint the full picture of the gulf between the two teams.
Leading that charge for Phoenix was Dillon Brooks. After scoring a team-high 33 points, Brooks had plenty to say, including multiple comments about LeBron James and Lakers fans.
On one hand, the possibility of losing to Brooks and the Suns again exists. On the other hand, those comments from Brooks will be bulletin board material.
At the very least, it’ll be a chance for LA to get nearly immediate revenge on the Suns and try to overcome a team that only recently had their number.
Tip for the game is slated for 5 p.m. PT.
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