The Phoenix Suns’ star trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal combined for 77 points to secure a commanding 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup matchup. The win snapped a five-game skid for the Suns and improved their record to 10-7.
Booker led Phoenix with 26 points and 10 assists, while Durant and Beal each added 23 points. Durant returned to action after a seven-game absence due to a strained left calf, and Beal played his first game since missing five contests with the same injury.
The Suns seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 36-18. Booker contributed 11 points during the pivotal stretch, and Jusuf Nurkic chipped in 10. Phoenix entered the final period with a 98-78 lead and never looked back.
For the Lakers, Anthony Davis delivered a strong performance with 25 points and 15 rebounds, while LeBron James contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. However, Los Angeles struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 of 34 three-point attempts (23.5%).
Phoenix showed improved chemistry with its core back in action. Nurkic finished with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Suns also received key contributions from their bench, with Grayson Allen scoring 10 points and Royce O’Neale adding nine, including three triples in the second half.
The Lakers kept the game competitive through the first half but faltered after halftime. D’Angelo Russell scored 16 points, while Austin Reaves added 15. Los Angeles has now dropped three consecutive games, falling to 10-7.
The Suns’ dominance in the third quarter was marked by a 14-2 run, punctuated by Booker’s scoring flurry. The team shot 51.5% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range overall, while limiting its turnovers to just nine.
The Suns are now positioned to advance in the NBA Cup, with their Big 3 healthy and performing at a high level. For the Lakers, their recent slump raises questions about consistency as they navigate a challenging schedule.
