Anthony Davis scored 35 points, and Austin Reaves added 26 as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 123-116 on Friday night. LeBron James contributed 21 points, with 17 coming in the second half, helping Los Angeles achieve its first 2-0 start since the 2010-11 season.
The Suns initially surged, leading by 22 points in the second quarter. Kevin Durant led Phoenix with 30 points, while Devin Booker added 23. Despite the early deficit, the Lakers rallied from a 61-52 halftime score.
Los Angeles outscored Phoenix 35-24 in the third quarter. Davis and James each contributed 11 points during that period. The Lakers took the lead and established a 12-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
The Suns started strong, hitting 21 of their first 30 shots, including nine consecutive three-pointers. However, they struggled in the second half, finishing the game shooting 34 of 70. Phoenix shot 24 of 39 from the field in the first half, but only 9 of 27 in the third quarter.
Lakers’ head coach JJ Reddick made history, becoming the first coach to win his first two debut games since Phil Jackson in 1999. The team’s shooting performance was key to their success. The Lakers finished the game 14 of 27 from beyond the arc, with Reaves shooting 5 of 7 from three-point range.
In addition to his scoring, Anthony Davis contributed eight rebounds and four assists. Reaves also provided valuable playmaking, adding eight assists along with his scoring.
The Suns struggled to find consistent support for their stars. Bradley Beal scored 15 points, and Tyus Jones contributed 14, but the offensive support fell short. The Suns’ shooting struggles in the second half proved costly in their attempt to secure a victory.
The Lakers’ depth played a significant role in their win. Rui Hachimura added 14 points, and Dalton Knecht scored eight off the bench. This balanced scoring attack allowed Los Angeles to counter the Suns’ strong offensive start.
