In a pivotal NBA matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Phoenix Suns, ultimately falling short with a final score of 123-113. Despite a strong comeback attempt after being down by as many as 20 points in the first quarter, the Lakers couldn't overcome the Suns' balanced attack, strategic play, and a significant rebounding deficit of 51-34. LeBron James led the Lakers with 26 points, followed closely by Anthony Davis with 22 points. The Suns capitalized with 17 three-pointers. On the same day, the Golden State Warriors were defeated by the Denver Nuggets, 119-103, despite leading by 16 points at one point and Klay Thompson scoring 23 points. Nikola Jokic dominated with a triple-double of 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists, contributing to the Warriors' 10th loss in 11 games against the Nuggets. The Lakers' loss, coupled with the Warriors' defeat, affects their standings in the Western Conference, with both teams looking to improve their positions as the season progresses.
Nikola Jokic has third straight triple-double to help Nuggets beat Warriors, 119-103 https://t.co/pacFeMjZRE https://t.co/NXLvdpmSKX
Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant lead balanced Suns effort to keep Lakers at bay. 😤 https://t.co/KlPrrPm3mt https://t.co/YwnIkDOoLk
Steph Curry goes cold as Warriors lose momentum in home loss to Nuggets. That’s seven straight losses to Denver. https://t.co/3dNNbuEarA
Nikola Jokic dominates as Nuggets rally for seventh consecutive win over Golden State Warriors https://t.co/1S0Rag7LZw
Warriors-Nuggets review, poor games from Curry/Draymond, lack of adjustments by Kerr, the continued inability to clearly identify closing lineups, the conundrum with Kuminga at PF, and more with @OnBallSteph and @WarriorsMuse. LIVE now - join us: https://t.co/OnVMwDfO57
The #Warriors lost a huge lead in Sundays contest against the Nuggets and still sit at 10th in the West. While we have a full recap at 11:30, here was the preview of the game on CBS Sports HQ earlier today. https://t.co/R7MGPQh2II
The Lakers next 9 games: @ Clippers vs. Wizards vs. Nuggets vs. Thunder vs. Kings vs. Bucks vs. Timberwolves @ Kings vs. Warriors Predict their record. https://t.co/NvXibWcB95
LeBron James Blasts Narratives Around Lakers Free Throw Shooting After Loss To Suns https://t.co/ZSmN4TLBwv
Klay vs the Nuggets tonight: 1st half— 2nd half— 23 PTS 0 PTS 5 3PM 0 3PM 7-12 FG 0-3 FG https://t.co/ZnkGc32Wdw
Assists today: Warriors starting lineup 19, Nikola Jokic 16. Turnovers today: Warriors starting lineup 12, Nikola Jokic 2.
Golden State on Sunday squandered a 16-point first-half lead to the defending NBA champions and suffered its 10th loss to Denver in the past 11 meetings. https://t.co/qsmL5mngFj
Denver's size is especially conspicuous against the Warriors. Really leaned on them the last 30 or so minutes. Jokic with absolute command over tempo and flow.
Jokic with 32-16-16 with 4 steals and a block. He caused problems for the Warriors' offense with great anticipation and a clear expertise in the Warriors' scheme. And the Nuggets' scheme prevented him from being isolated on the perimeter against Curry
The Nuggets have now won 7 straight matchups against the Dubs. 😮💨 https://t.co/caWREGruDO
Nuggets have Warriors’ number as Jokic leads Denver to win https://t.co/33o9kpY5sn
Warriors led 56-40 mid 2Q. Nuggets 79-47 the rest of the game
Warriors fall 119-103 to the Denver Nuggets after leading at one point by 16. Nikola Jokic (32/16/16) and Jamal Murray (27 points) were surgical for Denver. Klay Thompson leads Golden State with 23 points. Warriors have lost 10 of their last 11 against the Nuggets.
Nuggets beat the Warriors, stall their momentum. Denver's stars played better. *Steph Curry went cold: 6/19 FG, 1/10 on 3s. *Draymond Green: 6 turnovers. *Nikola Jokic: 32-16-16 plus four steals. *Jamal Murray: 27 points on 9/16 *GSW drops to 29-27, back to 10th spot
Another offensive dud in the fourth quarter for the Warriors. They've got 16 points in 10:15 Nuggets are doubling to get the ball out of Curry's hands and betting the Warriors can't score enough without him scoring
Joker squeezes in for the scoop! 30 PTS | 14 REB | 15 AST 🔥🔥 Nuggets-Warriors on ESPN https://t.co/0FDLZl1WTA
Looked like Jokic got Draymond and then he immediately responded with a foul on Joker
Draymond been awful down the stretch here. Outsmarted in the in between game by Jokic. Passing when he should shoot every single time.
Draymond has done about as good a job as possible on Jokic. He's managed to help out when he screens and hands off and still get back to his body by the time the pass gets there. Holding him to 11-21 is about as good as it gets these days.
Twice the Nuggets have been all over a Warriors ATO https://t.co/HULC47E6TQ
Play stops with 7:55 to play and the Warriors trailing 97-92. Would imagine Curry checks back in for Golden State and Jokic for Denver. First three meetings between the two teams have been competitive in crunch time. This one setting up to be, too.
I loved the contrast of Draymond already knowing he was going to screen for Curry while Murray was trying to figure out his matchup and then realized Curry was wide open. Good stunt from Jokic in the paint. https://t.co/5o9Wh2PZ9S
Through 3 quarters: Klay +12 GP2 +9 Draymond -14 Curry -13 Kuminga -12 That Denver starting lineup remains... good.
Steph SPLASH 💦 He has the last 12 points for the Warriors 😤 (via @NBA) https://t.co/Jd6MGq5np9
Curry keeps the Warriors within striking range with 14 third-quarter points. They trail 91-87 after three quarters. The rhythm they had in the first half belongs now to the Nuggets, for whom Jokic has 24/13/12 and Murray has 25 points.
Steph corner 3, SPLASH. He's got the last 12 for the Warriors! DEN-GSW on ESPN https://t.co/7XVry4RqWf
Curry alive with 14 third-quarter points to keep the Warriors afloat. Getting to the line. Just hit his first triple.
Jokic has a 24-11-11 triple double in the third quarter and it doesn't even seem like he's going 60% speed.
Steph Curry's season high is 12 free throws in a game this year. He's taken 7 today and hit them all. Curry now has 11 points.
Nuggets doing to the Warriors what the Warriors used to do to other teams https://t.co/yyH0CRmI73
Nuggets knew the Warriors' playcall to get Murray switched onto Kuminga out of the timeout, so they had Murray pressure up Steph full court and put KCP on Podz so he could switch onto Kuminga instead.
14-4 Denver third quarter so far. Here come Klay and GP2.
A transition trey follows a middie for Murray and the Warriors trail 70-65 at the 8:43 mark in the third quarter. Steve Kerr calls timeout. All Nuggets since Jokic returned midway through the second quarter. He's up to 22/9/9.
A transition trey follows a middie for Murray and the Warriors trail70-65 at the 8:43 mark in the third quarter. Steve Kerr calls timeout. All Nuggets since Jokic returned midway through the second quarter. He's up to 22/9/9.
Balanced attack fuels Phoenix Suns past LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers https://t.co/KVV1krZozs
Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 123-113 loss to the Suns. @LakersSBN https://t.co/bebRg6wUBi
Curry in the first half goes 1 of 7 from the field for four points. Nuggets effectively paying him extra mind. Murray conversely has 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Scored 12 after Jokic checked in midway through the second quarter. NBA's best two-man game.
Warriors let a 16-point first half lead slip in a blink. Nuggets closed the second quarter on a 14-0 run in final 2:47. Steph Curry went 1-of-7 shooting, missed all five of his 3s. They were a -8 in his minutes. Game tied 61-61.
Klay Thompson dropped 23 points in the first half off the bench 🤯 https://t.co/cb60kcGqiU
Jokic dominates the second half of the second quarter and the Warriors offense stagnates and dries up. They don't score the final 3:03 of the first half and a 15-point lead becomes a 61-61 halftime tie despite Thompson's 23 points. Jokic in total control with 18/7/7.
Nuggets end the 1st half on a 13-0 run and erase a 16-point deficit as we're tied at 61. Klay has 23, Jokic and Murray have 18. Steph is just 1-7 from the field.
Warriors lead by 12 and Steph Curry has 4 points. Couldn't have imagined this in the 1st half of the season.
Warriors were +8 in the non-Curry minutes this half. That will work. https://t.co/oN4FgG6ZOk
That Denver run is coming. It's either here in the 2nd or in the 3rd. The Nuggets are uncharacteristically playing on their heels tonight and reacting instead of dictating the game. Credit to Draymond and Klay for making that happen.
Klay Thompson now has 23 points, the most for any Warriors player coming off the bench in the first half of a game since at least the start of the 1996-97 season https://t.co/PbQXXzi0LR
Most points off bench in 1st half for Warriors in last 25 seasons: Anthony Lamb 22 vs Magic 1/7/2023 Marreese Speights 22 vs 76ers 2/10/2014 Klay Thompson 21 and counting vs Nuggets today
Thompson scores 16, helping the Warriors wade their way through two fouls for Stephen Curry. They lead 36-30 after one quarter. Everything in rhythm for Thompson. Passing, cutting, screening, spotting for good looks. Andrew Wiggins also off to a strong start with nine points.
Klay Thompson: 16 first quarter points in seven minutes off the bench. Four 3s, a mid-ranger and two free throws after MPJ bumped him trying to contest another jumper. Warriors up 36-30 on the Nuggets.
Klay's come out scorching! His 4th three of the 1Q... he's got 16 already 🔥 Nuggets-Warriors on ESPN https://t.co/9hhHsdu8hE
Jokic is coming out. Warriors were +1 in several dangerous minutes with Steph OUT and Jokic IN.
Warriors in sync on both ends and force a timeout at the 7:39 mark, leading 14-8. Draymond Green guarding Nikola Jokic with well-timed help around him. Good ball and player movement leading to clean and efficient looks: most recently a back-door layup for Brandin Podziemski.
Will the Warriors continue the trend as 2.5-point favorites tonight at home against the Nuggets? 🤔 https://t.co/K6hi5Z6grW
LeBron James on the Lakers attempting a season-low eight free throws against the Suns and the “narrative” that all the Lakers do is shoot FTs: https://t.co/nYVUV1F8mv
Lakers can't match the Suns at the finish in loss on the road https://t.co/T1P6q601mq
The Suns pick up their eighth straight win at home in a 10-point win over the Lakers ☀️ ✅ PHX -3.5 ✅ U 241.5 Total Points https://t.co/xLJWJ39le6
LeBron James talks about the Lakers’ loss to the Suns, free throw disparity: https://t.co/grruKHdNHb
✍️ for @SportingTrib. Phoenix dropped 45 in the first period against the Lakers. L.A. did make it a game but they didn't have enough juice against the Suns. https://t.co/qlwSyDzynH
LeBron vs. KD never disappoints 🔥 Suns beat the Lakers in the Valley 🏜️ https://t.co/3Oi0bZT7WB
Darvin Ham says that Anthony Davis’ early foul trouble altered the rotation and led to him playing Max Christie later than he had planned to.
LeBron vs Suns https://t.co/Zj6yeo5xVq
31-28. That first quarter really made it an uphill climb an entire time for the Lakers. And I was afraid that the Lakers would give the Suns many open threes. Suns made 17. Also, Lakers got killed on the glass. Lakers got the Clippers on Wednesday.
Tough loss for the Lakers (31-28), as even though they still win the season series with PHX (34-24) and thus the tiebreaker, they're now four games back in the loss column without a ton of games left to make up the difference.
Final: PHX 123, LAL 113. A 45-28 1st Q for the Suns proved the difference, with LAL digging a hole they couldn't dig out of, despite getting as close as 2. They played smaller groups most of the game and were out-boarded 51-34 (14-3), and were -14 at the free throw line.
The Lakers lose, 123-113, to PHX and fall to 1-2 out of the break. L.A. dug itself a huge hole early -- falling down by as many as 20 and allowing the Suns to score 45 points in the 1st Q -- and fought back to make it a game. Just didn't have enough to close it.
Suns put O'Neale on LeBron, KD on AD and Nurkic on Rui. Lakers use Rui as a screener for LeBron, Suns actually give the switch. Turns into switch and double, LeBron able to attack away from the double. Little things Suns working on defensively. https://t.co/ZMZJ5SctZ1
With the loss, the Lakers will drop to 31-28 and from 9th to 10th in the West. They're now percentage points behind the Golden State Warriors (29-26), who host the Denver Nuggets tonight.
Lakers come back from down 20 and STILL lose https://t.co/tz3O1oUK4w
LeBron's been really efficient on offense tonight, but just had a rare miss at the rim, as LAL trail 110-104 with 3:55 to play. He's 11 of 16 for 26 points to lead LAL, with Davis up to 22 on 11 of 17 FG's, including 4 of 4 in the 4th Q.
The Lakers and Suns are going at it in the 4Q! Back-to-back blocks from both teams 🚫 PHX-LAL LIVE on ABC https://t.co/cyvWQ3m1gQ
Third quarter: Suns 95, Lakers 90 LA and Phoenix have basically played the same game in four of their five matchups. PHX goes up by double digits and LA methodically whittles away the lead. LeBron has 20 points and 10 assists. DLo has 20 points. AD has 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Suns 95, Lakers 90 heading into the 4th Q. LeBron 20p 10a; D-Lo 20p 4a; AD 14p 9r. For PHX: Booker 19p 9a; Nurk 14p 16r; KD 16p on 5-of-15 shooting 5a.
LAL trimmed 4 points off PHX's halftime lead in the 3rd Q and are within 5 at 95-90 heading into the final 12 minutes. Suns scored 45 in a rough 1st Q for LAL, but they've held them to 27 and 23 in the subsequent two.
Anthony Davis vs the Suns tonight https://t.co/ewXK5zWAXQ
After getting beat 9-0 on the offensive glass in the 1st half, LAL have a 2-0 edge in the 3rd Q after AD tipped in a Prince miss to cut the deficit to 2.
These last few minutes have been fun. LeBron has used two steals to set up two crowd-pleasing dunks. Both teams are ramping up their intensity. Suns lead 88-81 with 4:20 left in the third.
The Lakers got a 3 from Reaves to open the half, cutting the margin to 6, but then allowed an 8-0 run with Durant hitting a pair of 3's. Deficit back to 14.
Rebounding was the story of the 1st half. Phoenix had 27 to LAL's 14, with the 9-0 edge on the offensive glass the biggest story. Christian Wood was key on the glass earlier this season in this matchup, but is hurt. Jaxson Hayes only played 5 minutes in the half.
Warriors (-2.5) v Nuggets
Halftime: Suns 72, Lakers 63 LA responded well in the second quarter, making several runs to stay within striking distance. They won the frame 35-27. DLo has 18 points (7-9 FGs, 4-5 3s). LeBron James has 13 points and 7 assists. Rui Hachimura has 11 points. Taurean Prince has 8.
The Suns scored 72 in the first half. But I guess the good news is that they only scored 27 in the second quarter. Lakers somehow only down 9.
D'Angelo Russell is red hot today, hitting 7 of his 8 attempts and all 4 of his triples (before a 30-footer at the buzzer bounced off) for 18 points to help the Lakers hang around at 72-63 despite being -6 at the FT line and losing the offensive glass battle 9-0.
The Lakers showed some life in the 2nd, trail 72-63 at the half. D-Lo leads LAL with 18 pts on 7-for-9 shooting. LeBron has 13 pts on 6-for-7 and 7 ast. https://t.co/LSuYyOzWGG
Suns shooters Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale have combined to make 6 triples already, Allen's latest putting PHX up 56-39 at the 7:31 mark of the 2nd Q. But LAL countered quickly with an 8-0 run, including the first 2 triples for Taurean Prince today, to get LAL within 9.
Two big 3s from Taurean Prince over the last minute. The Lakers are back within nine points, 56-47, with 6:18 left in the second quarter.
Giving up offensive rebounds is absolutely killing the Lakers right now. Phoenix just grabbed their 7th and 8th of the 1st half, and both led to open 3-pointers, putting them up 51-37. It's 8-0 Suns on the offensive glass.
An important 7-0 run to start the 2nd Q (Russell layup, LeBron layup, Russell 3) with both AD and LeBron back in, has the Lakers within 10, forcing an early time out from Frank Vogel.
A 7-0 run from the Lakers to start the second quarter cut the deficit to 10 points, 45-35, with 10:15 left in the first half.
LeBron and the Lakers were really ready to play today in Phoenix. Only gave up 45 in the first quarter. Just lifeless on defense. Just embarrassing. Valley of the Sons.
The Lakers start the second quarter with both LeBron and AD on the floor.
Lakers allow 45 points in 1st quarter m and already down 20 https://t.co/gbDRQ0vegk
Lakers give up 45 in the opening quarter? No bueno. 👀
Lakers allow 45 points in 1st quarter already and down 20 https://t.co/s9iwwoTkPE
LAL trailed by as many as 20, before getting a couple of late 1st Q 3's to trim the margin to 14 ... only to let Grayson Allen walk into a buzzer-beating 3 with a minimal contest to put 45 points on the board. Really rough defensive start from LAL in an important game.
First quarter: Suns 45, Lakes 28 A disastrous first quarter for LA. That was one of their worst quarters in weeks. The Suns are dominating the possession battle with two fewer turnovers and six more offensive rebounds. Rui Hachimura has 8 points. LeBron has 7 points.
Phoenix dropped 45 in the first quarter. And I feel the Lakers are lucky to be down only 17.
The Suns close the 1st Q on a 25-11 run to take a 45-28 lead into the 2nd. LAL had five turnovers, leading to 11 PHX points.
Suns up 38-18 early. Lakers' 20-point deficit matches their largest in a first quarter all season.
Big bad trend for Anthony Davis, post-All-Star break: Early foul trouble. Not ideal in any context, but especially so when the Lakers are already lacking a bunch of size off the bench. AK
The Lakers are in some trouble early, already allowing 30 points in the first 8 minutes, finding themselves down 12 points at the 4:06 mark of the 1st Q. LAL have 4 TO's to 2 from PHX, and have given up 3 offensive boards. Furthermore, Anthony Davis is sitting with 2 PF's.
Lakers are matchup hunting early, getting the ball to Rui Hachimura to attack Grayson Allen on a switch. He missed the shot on that trip, but got an open corner 3 on the next possession to put LAL up 3-2. Great energy in the crowd especially for an early start.
Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers in final meeting of 2023-24 regular season https://t.co/gcyopd1Qb5
Suns-Lakers updates: Bradley Beal out; LeBron James, Anthony Davis questionable for final meeting https://t.co/5Om8GGfhQj
Update: LeBron and AD are in, Reddish is out. For PHX: Nurkic in, Gordon out. https://t.co/DXU6M7FrnW
LeBron and AD are in for the Suns game, the Lakers announce. Cam Reddish remains out.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are playing vs. Phoenix. Cam Reddish is out.
Darvin Ham said pregame that LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Cam Reddish are all game-time decisions.
A battle out west 🌵 📺 Lakers at Suns | 3:30 ET on @ABCNetwork https://t.co/yQh2AMjRkK
And there's Tarris Reed Jr.'s second foul, away from the basket on a inbound pass. That's going to make for a long first half without another true big on the roster.
Warriors are 2.5-point favorites today against the Denver Nuggets, for whom Jamal Murray (tibia) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right finger) are questionable. Seeking 11th win in 13 games, Golden State is 0-3 against Denver this year. All three games were close in crunch time.
Two of the top scorers in NBA history square off today 😤 Lakers-Suns | 3:30 ET | @ABCNetwork https://t.co/7yOTDDlbrs
LEBRON VS. DURANT 🌟 Suns host the Lakers in The Valley at 3:30pm/et on ABC 🏜️ https://t.co/6CaxL6uoAT
Lakers need to beat Phoenix. Clippers gotta help and beat Sacramento. Kings 32-23 Suns 33-24 Lakers 31-27
✍️ for @SportingTrib. The Lakers take on the Suns in a Sunday afternoon game. L.A. will try to gain a game against Phoenix as they fight to get higher in the Western Conference standings. https://t.co/4NQoqckzl5
Bradley Beal to miss 4th straight game with hamstring injury as Phoenix Suns face Los Angeles Lakers https://t.co/sTVT2DZvWJ
Lakers injury update below. For Phoenix, they’ve listed Bradley Beal as out and Jusuf Nurkic as probable. https://t.co/p1BFWqeBgq
Lakers next 8 games: @ Suns (33-24) @ Clippers (37-18) vs Wizards (9-47) vs Nuggets (38-19) vs Thunder (39-17) vs Kings (32-23) vs Bucks (36-21) vs Timberwolves (39-17) How many they winning? https://t.co/cgMMalmB1Y
Lakers’ injury report vs. Phoenix: — LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Cam Reddish are questionable. — Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood are out. — Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis are with the South Bay Lakers.
Texas Tech's 2 big men: Warren Washington and Robert Jennings, have 2 fouls apiece with 8:26 left in the 1st half.
The Lakers and Suns desperately need all the wins they can get to put themselves in a more comfortable position in the standings, making Sunday a high-intensity clash. @LakersSBN https://t.co/llEHYyInOW
First foul on Reid. Took until the 2:20 mark of the half. The goal now is to not get another one before halftime.