Game ID: 22300531
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers
Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 25 27 26 31 109PHX 36 30 39 22 127
LAL vs PHX ScoutingLAL vs PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 1/03 · 2 days' restOUT Vincent missed 6 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 21 min since (118% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 27 min since (190% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 2 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 7 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 22 min since (124% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 27 min since (194% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 3 since 12/31, returns tonight: 31 min (94% of 33)
OUT Hachimura missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 8 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 20 min since (118% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 26 min since (181% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 3 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 9 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 31 min since (94% of 33)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Christie 14 to 23 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 4 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 10 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 1/05, returns tonight: 13 min (107% of 12)
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 24 min since (72% of 33)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Christie 14 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 5 since 1/03, returns tonight: 19 min (69% of 27)
OUT Vincent missed 11 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 25 min since (76% of 33)
BACK Hayes back 1/11 after 3, 13 min since (107% of 12)
NEW Christie 14 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 12 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 29 min since (88% of 33)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 5, 19 min since (69% of 27)
BACK Hayes back 1/11 after 3, 13 min since (107% of 12)
LAL availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 13 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 5 min (39% of 12)
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 5, 19 min since (72% of 27)
LAL availability going into 1/19 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 14 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 5, 20 min since (75% of 27)
BACK Hayes back 1/11 after 3, 9 min since (73% of 12)
PHX availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restBACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 33 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 6 min since (36% of 16)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 12 min since (77% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 17 min since (109% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (42% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 20 min since (186% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Durant missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 35 min since (104% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 5 min since (30% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 19 min since (124% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (42% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 19 min since (181% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Durant missed 3 since 1/01, returns tonight: 36 min (97% of 38)
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 35 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 10 min since (67% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 19 min since (123% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (153% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 2 since 1/05, returns tonight: 25 min (88% of 28)
BACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 36 min since (97% of 38)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 11 min since (72% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 18 min since (116% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (153% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 17 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/11 · 2 days' restOUT Bol missed 2 since 1/07, returns tonight: 17 min (162% of 11)
BACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 36 min since (95% of 38)
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 25 min since (88% of 28)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 12 min since (78% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 15 min since (95% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
PHX availability going into 1/14 · 2 days' restBACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 34 min since (92% of 38)
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 24 min since (85% of 28)
BACK Bol back 1/11 after 2, 17 min since (162% of 11)
PHX availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restBACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 35 min since (94% of 38)
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 24 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Bol back 1/11 after 2, 17 min since (162% of 11)
PHX availability going into 1/19 · 2 days' restOUT Goodwin missed 2 since 1/14, returns tonight: 4 min (29% of 14)
OUT Watanabe missed 2 since 1/14, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 2 since 1/14, out tonight
BACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 36 min since (96% of 38)
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 24 min since (86% of 28)
PHX availability going into 1/21 · 1 day's restOUT Watanabe missed 3 since 1/14, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 3 since 1/14, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 24 min since (87% of 28)
BACK Goodwin back 1/19 after 2, 4 min since (29% of 14)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 25 a game. Without Hachimura (4 straight), Vincent (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 19 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to the Lakers' 33. Call it the Lakers 116, Phoenix 115, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/03 vs MIA 96-110 — LAL notes
LAL lost 96-110. LAL shot 42% (35 of 83) to MIA's 44%, 4 of 30 from three, and went to the line 24 times to MIA's 17 — 22 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 21 times to MIA's 8, and MIA turned those into 14 steals. The glass went 50-39 for them. Davis led with 29 (10 of 17, 9 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 24, Christie 14. Q3 was theirs, 22-19, the deficit cut from 8 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 91-74 against them. James's -20 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs MEM 113-127 — LAL notes
LAL lost 113-127. LAL shot 49% (42 of 85) to MEM's 54%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 27 times to MEM's 20 — 19 points from the stripe to their 16. James led with 32 (11 of 24, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); Davis added 31, Reaves 19. Q1 was theirs, 38-29, but the other 3 periods went 98-75 against them. They led by as many as 13. Reaves's -23 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 vs LAC 106-103 — LAL notes
LAL won 106-103. LAL shot 51% (42 of 82) to LAC's 40%, 11 of 29 from three. LAL turned it over 19 times to LAC's 14, and LAC turned those into 12 steals. James led with 25 (11 of 19, 1 of 3 from three); Davis added 22, Russell 13. The hinge was Q3, 32-24: LAL came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 4. LAL trailed 49-53 at the half and won the second half 57-50. Christie was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
1/09 vs TOR 132-131 — LAL notes
LAL won 132-131. LAL shot 54% (44 of 81) to TOR's 56%, 16 of 36 from three, and went to the line 36 times to TOR's 13 — 28 points from the stripe to their 8. Davis led with 41 (13 of 17, 13 of 14 at the line); James added 22, Wood 14. The hinge was Q1, 28-24: from level to 4 ahead. LAL trailed 51-53 at the half and won the second half 81-78.
1/11 vs PHX 109-127 — LAL notes
LAL lost 109-127. LAL shot 50% (40 of 80) to PHX's 49%, 13 of 34 from three. LAL turned it over 18 times to PHX's 12, and PHX turned those into 12 steals. Russell led with 19 (7 of 14, 3 of 7 from three); Christie added 14, Davis 13. Q4 was theirs, 31-22, the deficit cut from 27 to 18, but the other 3 periods went 105-78 against them. Prince's -30 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/13 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Markkanen at 24 and Sexton at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Horton-Tucker (4 straight), Juzang (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 20 a game. Without Hachimura (5 straight), Vincent (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-11 a night and the Lakers minus-1. Call it Utah 119, the Lakers 114.
1/15 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 24 and James at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Vincent (12 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 110, shooting 55 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 124 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-6. Call it OKC 121, the Lakers 115.
1/17 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 24 and James at 20 a game. Without Vincent (13 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Irving at 37 and Hardaway Jr. at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Dončić (3 straight), Exum (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 16 times a game to Dallas's 11 and the glass, where the Lakers have been minus-3 a night and Dallas minus-8. Call it the Lakers 118, Dallas 116, Dallas keeping it close.
1/19 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 25 free throws a game; Davis at 25 and Russell at 22 a game. Without Reddish (2 straight), Vincent (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bridges at 26 and Thomas at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Simmons (33 straight), Clowney (9 straight), Wilson (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Brooklyn's 32 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 112 a night to the Lakers' 121. Call it the Lakers 117, Brooklyn 114, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/03 vs LAC 122-131 — PHX notes
PHX lost 122-131. PHX shot 53% (42 of 79) to LAC's 55%, 15 of 35 from three, and got to the line 26 times to LAC's 32. Booker led with 35 (11 of 15, 5 of 8 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Beal added 21, Gordon 16. Q4 was theirs, 31-24, the deficit cut from 16 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 107-91 against them. Allen's -19 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs MIA 113-97 — PHX notes
PHX won 113-97. PHX shot 51% (44 of 87) to MIA's 41%, 14 of 35 from three. PHX turned it over 9 times to MIA's 15. Allen led with 31 (11 of 19, 9 of 14 from three); Beal added 25, Booker 20. The hinge was Q3, 32-20: a lead of 7 became 19. Beal was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
1/07 vs MEM 115-121 — PHX notes
PHX lost 115-121. PHX shot 45% (46 of 102) to MEM's 44%, 8 of 28 from three. PHX turned it over 12 times to MEM's 17. Booker led with 24 (9 of 17, 2 of 6 from three); Durant added 23, Nurkić 18. Q1 was theirs, 32-26, but the other 3 periods went 95-83 against them. They led by as many as 13. Bates-Diop's -15 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 @ LAC 111-138 — PHX notes
PHX lost 111-138. PHX shot 49% (38 of 77) to LAC's 62%, 10 of 30 from three, and went to the line 29 times to LAC's 23 — 25 points from the stripe to their 17. The glass went 25-44 against them. Durant led with 30 (10 of 17, 3 of 6 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Booker added 20, Beal 15. Q3 was theirs, 28-30, but the other 3 periods went 108-83 against them. Booker's -31 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/11 @ LAL 127-109 — PHX notes
PHX won 127-109. PHX shot 49% (46 of 93) to LAL's 50%, 14 of 39 from three. PHX turned it over 12 times to LAL's 18. Beal led with 37 (14 of 21, 8 of 10 from three); Booker added 31, Durant 18. The hinge was Q3, 39-26: a lead of 14 became 27, and the lead reached 32. Allen was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
1/14 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 127, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Grant at 18 and Simons at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Ayton (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 24 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been minus-4 a night and Portland minus-10 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 119 a night to Portland's 127. Call it Phoenix 118, Portland 111.
1/16 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 23 a game. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sabonis at 23 and Fox at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Phoenix 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
1/19 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 44 from three, 28 free throws a game; Williamson at 23 and McCollum at 18 a game. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Durant at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 44 percent from three to Phoenix's 38 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 13 times a game to New Orleans's 10. Call it New Orleans 120, Phoenix 115.
1/21 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 118, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Durant at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Turner at 17 and Hield at 16 a game. Without Nembhard (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Phoenix 121, Indiana 117, Indiana keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXBB B. Beal
BB B. Bol
CM C. Metu
DB D. Booker
EG E. Gordon
GA G. Allen
JG J. Goodwin
JN J. Nurkić
JO J. Okogie
KB K. Bates-Diop
KD K. Durant
NL N. Little
NU Nurkic
UA U. Azubuike
YW Y. Watanabe
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CR C. Reddish
DR D. Russell
DW D. Windler
JH J. Hayes
JH J. Hood-Schifino
JV J. Vanderbilt
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
SM S. Mays
TP T. Prince
PHX/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Bradley Beal scores 37, Devin Booker adds 31 as Suns roll to a 127-109 victory over Lakers
LOS ANGELES -- — Frank Vogel and Kevin Durant had some goals before the Phoenix Suns faced the Los Angeles Lakers .
Vogel has been imploring his club to shoot more 3-pointers. Durant told Devin Booker to be more aggressive and not worry about getting the ball to him.
For at least one night, all of Phoenix's goals were met.
Bradley Beal had a season-high 37 points, including eight 3-pointers, Booker added 31 and the Suns routed the Lakers 127-109 on Thursday.
“I thought the whole game was a positive step in the direction of how we want to play offensively,” said Vogel, who got his first victory over his former team. Vogel coached the Lakers for three seasons, including 2020 when they won the NBA title in the Walt Disney World bubble.
Beal, who played in only six of the first 30 games due to back and ankle injuries, was 8 of 10 from beyond the arc. He scored 20 points in the third quarter and the Suns’ largest lead was 32 early in the fourth. He was one off tying the Suns’ single-game record for 3-pointers shared by six players.
“It’s something that I’ve been trying to kick myself to do the last five years of my career, to shoot eight-to-10 3-pointers a game,” said Beal, who made at least eight 3-pointers for the third time in his 12-year career. “I worked with my training group back in town and got it back feeling right. Tonight I was confident in it and once it was in my hands just making it flow.”
Booker was the aggressor early en route to his 10th 30-point game this season. He had 16 points in the first quarter as the Suns had an 11-point advantage.
“I was doing what my teammates asked of me. Having a mate like (Durant) out there to give you that much confidence and let you rock out is huge,” Booker said.
Durant added 18 points for the Suns, who broke a five-game losing streak to the Lakers. They also bounced back after a 27-point loss to the Clippers on Tuesday.
“As much as everybody can be aggressive without having to focus on trying to getting me or our best scorers the ball, be aggressive and just make the right play," Durant said. "The ball is going to find us. Sometimes it is good to reiterate that to your teammates so they can go out there and have a free mind.”
D’Angelo Russell had 19 points off the bench as the Lakers fell to 5-11 since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament last month. The Lakers had won two in a row but fell back below .500 at 19-20.
Los Angeles had seven players score in double figures but committed 17 turnovers that led to 28 Phoenix points.
“We had a bunch of turnovers in the first half and they made their shots. I thought we were there at different times and forced them into tough situations but they capitalized,” coach Darvin Ham said.
LeBron James had 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting along with nine assists and five rebounds. Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves scored 13 points apiece. All three players did not see action during the fourth quarter as the Lakers trailed by 27 after three.
Cam Reddish was in the starting lineup but did not play in the second half due to knee soreness.
“I thought they were very aware of what we wanted to do, plus having their Big 3 helped as well,” James said.
A jumper by Booker gave the Suns a 32-15 advantage with two minutes remaining in the first quarter before the Lakers made a late spurt to get within 36-25 at the end of the period.
Los Angeles kept whittling away at the start of the second quarter. Jerod Vanderbilt's 3-pointer cut it to 40-34, but that would be the closest the Lakers would get the rest of the way as Phoenix countered with seven straight points as part of a 10-2 run.
Josh Okogie finished off the spurt with a driving dunk while being fouled by Jaxson Hayes . Okogie finished the three-point play with a free throw to make it 50-36 with 7:44 remaining in the first half.