In a thrilling home opener, the Los Angeles Lakers orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback, defeating the Phoenix Suns with a final score of 100-95. The Lakers rallied from a 12-point deficit through three quarters, showcasing their resilience in front of their fans.
Anthony Davis was the standout performer for the Lakers, contributing 30 points and securing 12 rebounds. LeBron James also played a pivotal role, amassing 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
D’Angelo Russell chipped in with 14 points, while Austin Reaves added 10 crucial points to the Lakers’ effort.
The Lakers’ late-game surge involved outscoring the Suns 28-11 in the final period, leaving the visiting team unable to score for a seven-minute stretch during the fourth quarter.
On the Phoenix Suns’ side, Kevin Durant was the driving force, delivering an impressive performance with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Despite Durant’s remarkable contributions, the Suns couldn’t hold onto their lead, having won their season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Eric Gordon, starting in place of the absent Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, notched 15 points for the Suns. Notable contributions also came from Jordan Goodwin, who scored 14 points, and Josh Okogie, who added 10. Jusuf Nurkic dominated the boards, securing nine rebounds to complement his four points.
A decisive moment in the game came when Durant tied the score at 91-91 with a layup, but LeBron James responded with a pair of running layups, providing the Lakers with a 95-91 lead and securing the win. Anthony Davis sealed the victory with four successful free throws in the final seven seconds of the game.
Additionally, Kevin Durant’s performance during the game enabled him to move into 12th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon’s career points tally.
Despite the Suns’ early lead, the Lakers demonstrated their resilience and determination, delighting their home crowd with a hard-fought victory.
Phoenix will now look forward to their home opener against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, aiming to bounce back from this close defeat.
