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The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 Thursday night, improving their record to 34-26 on the year, and ending their two-game losing streak.
Phoenix hit 22 threes in the contest, led by Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen hitting six apiece, but the most important three of the night came from Royce O’Neale, who hit the game-winning triple with 0.9 seconds on the clock.
Both teams endured multiple double-digit deficits throughout the contest to set up for a back-and-forth ending. Luka Dončić single handedly was carrying the Lakers late, while the Suns took a more team-oriented approach.
With the win, Phoenix is now just one game back of the Lakers for the last playoff spot and have officially won the season series, something that could prove to be pivotal when it comes to the final standings.
Considering the potential seeding circumstances, Phoenix still down Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker and Jordan Goodwin, and the Lakers playing mostly at full strength, this was arguably the Suns’ most impressive and important win of the year.
Game Flow
First Half
After a lackluster few offensive performances, the Suns got off to a strong start offensively, scoring nine points in the first three minutes of the game. The ball movement was strong, and the team was getting to the rim. Phoenix built an early 17-9 lead that forced a Los Angeles timeout. After the breakm the Lakers went on a 12-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Luka Dončić started to get into a rhythm, having himself a 12-point first quarter.
As the Suns continue to battle the injury bug, Suns who don’t typically touch the rotation got a chance to contribute early on, including Rasheer Fleming and Amir Coffey, but weren’t making much of an impact as the Suns ended the quarter allowing a 18-5 run to Los Angeles.
At the end of 12 minutes, the Lakers led the Suns 27-22.
Phoenix retook the lead with an 8-2 run early in the second, Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie were running the ship. The hot start to the second was a “necessary response,” to the Lakers end to the first quarter, as Suns Broadcaster Kevin Ray put it. Phoenix started the second hitting 7/8 first shots, with the bench scoring 10. They were able to build multiple double-digit leads.
After a hot offensive start, the Suns started to struggle offensively, allowing the Lakers to end the second. Phoenix scored just four points in the final 4:56 of the half.
It was 49-49 going into the second half. Dončić and Allen were the only players for either team in double digits. It was the first time in the last six games the Suns weren’t trailing after two quarters.
Second Half
The Suns called a timeout early in the third because the Lakers went on a 7-0 run in the first 2:17. The Phoenix offense stayed anemic after the timeout. Los Angeles took their first double-digit lead of the game, leading to another Suns timeout.
Finally, 4:08 into the second half, a Grayson Allen three broke the seal on the basket for the Suns, but it took some time for the team to get in a groove on offense.
Down 12 midway through the third, the Suns went on a 10-0 run, spearheaded by Grayson Allen. The guard hit two consecutive threes, forcing a Lakers timeout.
Allen continued to stay hot from three; Amir Coffey and Rasheer Fleming joined the party, too. Fleming had a strong quarter, hitting multiple threes.
After being down as much as 12, the Suns and Lakers were tied at 80 heading into the fourth quarter.
Phoenix carried their strong end to the third into the fourth, going on a 15-5 run to start the fourth, and the Mortgage Matchup Center was getting amped up.
Just like the Suns stayed resilient when they went down, the Lakers did too. Phoenix was up as much as 12, but Dončić almost single-handedly brought the Lakers back ahead.
With 22 seconds, the game was tied at 110, and Phoenix had the ball. Grayson Allen took charge of the offense, and this happened:
It was a fitting ending to what was an extremely hot shooting night for the Suns, who went 22/50 from behind the arc to end their two-game losing streak. Grayson Allen led the team with 28 points and six threes, Gillespie chipped in 21 and six triples, but O’Neale hit the biggest three of them all. O’Neale scored the Suns’ last seven points to end the game.
Up Next
The Suns will have a five-day break between games. They’ll face the Kings for their first game of March on Tuesday, the third. Sacramento has the worst record in the NBA.