Well, all good things must come to an end, right? The Lakers' fantastic seven-game run hit a wall last night, and it was a tough one to watch. Despite another absolutely sensational performance from Luka Dončić, who put up 38 points, the Phoenix Suns were just too much to handle, cruising to a 125-108 win. It was a classic tale of one superstar doing everything he could, but basketball is a team game, and the Suns proved they were the better team on the night.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Luka Dončić dropped another masterclass, scoring a massive 38 points for the Lakers.
- ✓ The Los Angeles Lakers' impressive seven-game winning streak came to a decisive end.
- ✓ The Phoenix Suns secured a commanding 108-125 victory at the Crypto.com Arena.
- ✓ Dillon Brooks was the star for Phoenix, leading their charge with an impressive 33 points.
- ✓ Despite Dončić's heroics, the Lakers struggled to find consistent scoring support from the rest of the team.
The Pre-Game Buzz: All Eyes on an MVP Candidate
Going into the December 1st showdown, all the talk was about Luka. He was officially cleared to play and in peak condition, which was a huge sigh of relief for Lakers fans. Let's be honest, he's been the engine behind this team's strong start to the 2025-26 season, putting up absolutely mind-boggling, MVP-level numbers.
Just look at his season averages: an elite 35.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. He's leading the entire league in scoring and sitting fourth in assists. That's not just good; it's legendary stuff. In his last game against the Pelicans, he casually dropped 34 points, 12 boards, and 7 assists in 35 minutes. He was, without a doubt, ready for the Suns.
But here's the catch: while Luka was healthy, the Lakers were hurting elsewhere. The team was navigating some tricky injuries, with LeBron James managing a lingering left foot issue and Marcus Smart still out with a back problem. This put even more pressure on Luka's shoulders and highlighted the importance of guys like Austin Reaves, who has been stepping up big time with a 28.8 ppg average.
A Blazing Start Turns into a Frustrating Night
The game started just how you’d expect a high-stakes matchup to begin—tight and competitive. Surprisingly, the Suns grabbed a slight early lead, 10-9, but it didn't take long for the Lakers to find their footing. And by "Lakers," I mostly mean Luka Dončić, who decided to put on a one-man show in the first quarter.
He was simply on another planet. They were calling it the "'DON' Game" as he was running absolute riot, pouring in 20 points before the first quarter was even over! It was vintage Luka, keeping the Lakers' lead alive alongside some red-hot shooting from Austin Reaves. At the end of the first, the Lakers held a slight edge, 31-29, and it felt like we were in for a classic back-and-forth battle.
The Second Quarter Shift
Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last. The second quarter was where the game completely flipped on its head. The Suns regained the lead, 42-41, and then just hit the accelerator. By halftime, they had built a massive 14-point lead, with the score sitting at 66-52. Luka had an impressive 27 points at the half, but it just didn't seem to matter.
The big difference-maker was Dillon Brooks. He was absolutely on fire for the Suns, dropping 23 points in the first half alone and proving to be the perfect counterpunch to Luka's offensive explosion. While Luka was doing everything, Brooks was leading a balanced Suns attack that the Lakers just couldn't contain.
The Suns Pull Away for Good
If you were hoping for a big second-half comeback from the Lakers, it just wasn't in the cards. The Suns came out of the locker room and continued to dictate the tempo of the game. They extended their lead to almost 20 points, and the score ballooned to 96-77. The game felt like it was slipping way out of bounds for the home team.
Through it all, Luka kept fighting. He was pretty much the only hope the Lakers had, crossing the 30-point mark and continuing to attack. But with every bucket he scored, it felt like the Suns answered with two of their own. The Lakers' rotations weren't working, and they were conceding scores far too easily. You could feel the energy draining from the arena.
By the fourth quarter, the gap was just too much. With the score at 118-100, a miraculous turnaround seemed impossible. Luka got to within two points of a 40-piece, finishing with 38, but it was all in vain. The Suns were in total control from the second quarter onward, showcasing superior depth and execution on both ends of the floor to close out a convincing 125-108 victory.
Conclusion
So, what’s the big takeaway? It was a night that perfectly illustrated just how heavily the Lakers rely on Luka Dončić. His 38-point masterclass was a sight to behold, but it also exposed the team's lack of secondary scoring, especially with key players sidelined. One man, no matter how brilliant, can't beat a deep, well-coached team like the Phoenix Suns by himself.
Full credit goes to Phoenix. They outclassed the Lakers in pretty much every department after the first quarter, with Dillon Brooks having a standout night with 33 points. The seven-game winning streak was fun while it lasted, but this loss serves as a tough reminder that for the Lakers to truly contend, they'll need more than just heroic efforts from their superstar.
