Luka Doncic praised the Los Angeles Lakers’ defensive effort following their 107-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Speaking postgame, Doncic emphasized the team’s intensity on that end of the floor.
“We knew we had to do better. We knew we had to be more physical, and I think our defense was amazing today from start to finish,” he said.
Doncic led the way with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, helping the Lakers snap a four-game losing streak. Austin Reaves added 28 points, while Jaxson Hayes contributed 19, matching his season high.
The Lakers, now 41-25, extended their home winning streak to seven games and maintained their grip on the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They returned from a difficult road trip but found momentum despite missing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 21 points, while Devin Booker scored 19, but Phoenix struggled offensively. The Suns shot just 39.3% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc, failing to overcome a slow start.
Los Angeles dominated early, taking a 31-15 lead in the first quarter as Phoenix struggled to generate offense. The Suns’ star trio of Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal combined for just two made three-pointers on 12 attempts.
Phoenix made a late push, cutting the deficit to 100-92 with under two minutes remaining, but Dorian Finney-Smith sealed the game with a clutch three-pointer. The Lakers’ defense held the Suns to under 100 points, marking one of their strongest performances in weeks.
The win comes at a crucial time for Los Angeles, which faces a grueling seven-game stretch in 10 days. With Doncic and Reaves stepping up, the team remains competitive while awaiting James’ return.
