Phoenix, AZ — LeBron James credited Los Angeles’ reserves for a second-half surge that lifted the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns, 112-108, on Sunday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.
With the league’s lowest-scoring bench entering the game, Los Angeles received 30 points from its reserves and strung together a 24-0 run after halftime. James said the group’s energy decided the outcome.
“Our bench won us the game tonight. It’s that simple,” James told Spectrum SportsNet. “Vando, after not being in the rotation for a minute, gave us that spark with seven and seven, six offensive rebounds. Jaxson, Gabe, Jake, everybody. Our bench won us the game.”
Key contributions off the bench
• Center Jaxson Hayes finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, punctuating the night with a third-quarter dunk that ignited the run.
• Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, back in the lineup after several weeks out of the rotation, posted seven points, seven boards—six on the offensive glass—along with two steals and a block.
• Rookie Jake LaRavia added six points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
• Guard Gabe Vincent helped steady the second unit during the pivotal stretch.
The Lakers improved to 18-7 despite entering the matchup with the NBA’s least productive bench. Head coach JJ Redick welcomed the gritty win.
“It’s gonna sound sick: I love winning games like this,” Redick said postgame. “Winning ugly is actually really fun because it means you got in the trenches and you fought, and we did that tonight.”
The Lakers return to action Tuesday when they host the Sacramento Kings, aiming to build on the defensive intensity that eased the burden on stars James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Source: Lakers Nation
