The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their 2025-26 preseason with a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. The game, which tipped off at 10 p.m. ET, ended with the Suns pulling away for a 112-98 victory, exposing some early rust in the Lakers' revamped lineup. Indeed, without key stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis sitting out to manage workloads, the Lakers leaned on younger talent, but it wasn't enough against a Suns squad that looked sharp from the jump.
Acrisure Arena, hosting its second straight year of Lakers preseason action, buzzed with a crowd of about 11,000 fans eager for the desert duel. Phoenix jumped out to a 32-25 lead after the first quarter, thanks to strong play from Devin Booker, who dropped 18 points before halftime. The Lakers fought back in the second, narrowing it to single digits, but turnovers—15 in total—proved costly. Bronny James, making his debut in a Lakers uniform, added a modest 4 points off the bench, drawing polite applause but little else in a game that felt more like extended practice than a contest.
Moreover, the Suns' depth shone through, with contributions from Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen helping seal the win in the fourth. For the Lakers, it's a wake-up call; coach JJ Redick mentioned post-game that defensive communication needs work, especially with new additions like Luka Dončić still integrating. However, the schedule moves fast—next up for LA is another home preseason tilt against the Timberwolves on October 7, followed by a trip to face the Suns again in Phoenix on October 10.
Viewers caught the action on NBA TV, with streaming available through Fubo and the NBA app, reaching fans beyond the arena's confines. These early games often reveal more about team chemistry than scores, though, and both squads will tweak accordingly as the regular season looms in late October.
One can't help but wonder how these preseason hiccups might shape the Lakers' path forward in a loaded Western Conference.