In the final preseason showdown, the Lakers fell short of victory despite Anthony Davis’s stellar performance on both ends of the court. The Suns secured a 121-97 win.

Anthony Davis showcased his dominance with a remarkable 15 points and an impressive six blocks. LeBron James achieved his preseason goal of playing in half the games, concluding with 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Although the game was tightly contested midway through the third quarter, both teams extensively utilized their benches, and the Suns’ reserves overpowered the Lakers, sealing the victory.

The Lakers wrapped up the preseason with a 2-4 record and will commence their regular season campaign on the road in Denver on Tuesday.

The Lakers initiated the game with a scorching 10-2 run, highlighted by a Davis alley-oop, a James layup over Kevin Durant, and an Austin Reaves three-pointer.

The Lakers capitalized on this offensive momentum, bolstered by Davis’s outstanding defense, to gain an early lead. However, an 18-6 run by the Suns to close out the first quarter left the Lakers trailing by four.

In the second quarter, Jaxson Hayes and Max Christie joined the starters, resulting in an impressive sequence that included a Hayes dunk and a smooth give-and-go play with James, leading to an easy finish for Hayes. Throughout the preseason, Hayes demonstrated exceptional shooting, going 12-15 from the field.

Kevin Durant’s night ended in the first half, as he led Phoenix with 21 points in just 17 minutes. The Lakers maintained their starting lineup in the third quarter until the 6:39 mark when they executed an unusual “line change,” substituting all five starters simultaneously. This strategy allowed Phoenix to score six consecutive points, prompting a timeout by head coach Darvin Ham. The Lakers struggled in the third, being outscored 35-15 and entering the fourth quarter down by 16.

With both teams approaching the end of preseason play, the benches emptied in the fourth quarter, as the game turned into a clock-running exercise to avoid injuries. The Suns maintained control until the final buzzer.

Key Takeaways:
Aside from injuries to Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, the Lakers emerge from preseason relatively healthy. The team exhibited promise in improved three-point shooting, solid depth, and the readiness of Davis and James for the upcoming regular season.

To catch the Lakers’ opening game against the Nuggets on Tuesday, tune in to TNT at 4:30 p.m. PT.