The Phoenix Suns wasted no time asserting dominance in the NBA preseason, dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers 103-81 on Friday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. It was a lopsided affair from the jump, with the Suns' bench mob leading the charge while the Lakers struggled to find any rhythm. Indeed, this opener felt more like a wake-up call for Los Angeles than a tune-up, highlighting vulnerabilities that could linger if not addressed quickly.
Suns' Depth Shines Bright. Phoenix jumped out to a commanding lead early, thanks to sharp shooting from beyond the arc and relentless pressure on defense. Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen combined for 28 points off the bench, exploiting the Lakers' sluggish transitions. The Suns' starters, including Devin Booker who played limited minutes, set the tone with crisp ball movement. By halftime, Phoenix held a 58-42 edge, and the second half was little more than mop-up duty. However, the real story was how comfortably the Suns controlled the paint, forcing 17 turnovers from a Lakers squad that looked disjointed without full chemistry.
For the Lakers, it was a rough introduction to the 2025-26 campaign. LeBron James, easing back into action, logged just 12 minutes and tallied eight points, sitting out most of the blowout to preserve energy. Austin Reaves tried to steady the ship with 14 points and some hustle plays, but the offense sputtered, shooting under 40% from the field. Then there's RJ Davis, the undrafted rookie out of North Carolina, who saw spot duty and chipped in four points—nothing game-changing, but a glimpse of the youth injection L.A. is banking on. Moreover, the absence of key vets like Anthony Davis due to minor tweaks meant the bench got extended run, revealing gaps in perimeter defense that Phoenix gleefully targeted.
The game streamed live on NBA TV and local outlets like Spectrum SportsNet for Lakers fans, with replays available on the league's app for those who missed the decisive 22-point Suns victory. Preseason or not, this result raises eyebrows about the Lakers' readiness, especially with a tough slate ahead. Still, one loss in October doesn't define a season—what adjustments will JJ Redick demand before the next whistle?