Lakers fall to Suns on Royce O’Neale’s last-second three-pointer
lakers-slip-up-late-against-suns
PHOENIX — Royce O’Neale hit a corner three with 0.9 seconds remaining, lifting the short-handed Phoenix Suns to a 113-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at Footprint Center.
O’Neale’s shot capped a back-and-forth finish in which the Lakers erased a late deficit before surrendering the decisive basket. Austin Reaves had a clean look from the opposite corner as time expired but came up short, sealing Los Angeles’ third straight loss.
Key performances
• Luka Doncic: 41 points, eight rebounds, eight assists for Los Angeles.
• Grayson Allen: 28 points for Phoenix, including 16 in the third quarter.
• Collin Gillespie: Six three-pointers, matching Allen’s total.
Missing stars, no problem for Phoenix
The Suns played without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks but compensated by launching 50 three-pointers and connecting on 22. Phoenix also collected 15 offensive rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions that wore down the Lakers’ defense.
“You have to defend for 24 seconds,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said afterward, lamenting breakdowns that allowed Phoenix to sprint into transition and find open shooters.
Turning point
Midway through the fourth quarter, rookie forward Ryan Dunn blocked a perimeter shot, then outran everyone for a dunk that put Phoenix in front and energized the crowd. The Suns never trailed again.
Standings impact
Los Angeles dropped to 34-24 and now holds the Western Conference’s sixth seed by a single game over Phoenix. The Lakers travel to San Francisco next to face Golden State, while the Suns continue a homestand.
Source: Hoops Wire
