Los Angeles— The game was shortened. Actual contest wasn’t. In Lakers vs. Suns, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal were injured, but the two everyone came to watch weren’t.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Each had moments, a lively fourth quarter, and suspenseful ending. Basketball lacked this for five years. LeBron and Durant didn’t play together until Thursday due to ιnjury.

But it was worth waiting.

“We don’t have many matchups left,” LeBron stated. “Two of the greatest players to ever play this game.”

Five Takeaways from the Lakers’ 100-95 win, why it was closer than expected, and early season difficulties for both teams and the stars:

1. One-game LeBron minutes restriction

The Lakers needed a 21st-season player to bur𝚗 calories the fourth quarter against a team without two stars. It stated something about the Lakers and LeBron. He survived and thrived.

The Lakers must balance keeping LeBron healthy all season with winning. Can they both? LeBron played 29 minutes in the season-opening loss to Denver. He questioned sitting for long periods in winnable games.

LeBron and the Lakers changed their strategy against the Suns after Anthony Davis went scoreless in the fourth quarter. A loss to the short-handed Suns and Durant would have hurt LeBron’s ego.

He scored 10 in the fourth, split two defenders for a layup, and took the Lakers ahead for good. Chase-down block, too. December-turning 39-year-old man played 35 minutes on a quest.

The Lakers were down 12 after one quarter, four at half, and 12 again after three quarters as Durant went crаzy. Someone had to act.

“Tonight called for me to go outside the box,” LeBron stated.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated the minutes restriction was relaxed, not eliminated. The supporting cast matters moving forward.

“Once we get more comfortable, he’s not playing 35 minutes,” Ham added. “He’ll be back in his sweet spot with his minutes once our guys catch up.”

2. Durant was on an island and looked stranded

Obviously, he plays well. Clearly, he can lead a team. Another thing is clear: Phoenix relied on Durant, Booker, and Beal being healthy and playing together to win.

If one is out, the Suns can survive. Two means trouble. Their tops are substantial.

Only average depth is apparent. As expected, Durant’s load proved costly against the Lakers.

They switched defenders, double-teamed him, and beаt him all night. In the third quarter, he scored 15 points to take control and prove his all-time greatness. By the fourth, forced to take too many tough shots, he was toast.

“It’s hard to maneuver when everybody is watching me at all times,” he remarked. “They played almost a zone when I caught the ball.”

Durant will feed two confirmed bucket-getters when the Suns are whole. He’s throwing to Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie till then.

3. Suns are vertically challenged

Jusuf Nurkic for Deandre Ayton was a good trade for the Suns. As a large body for defense and rebounds and a player who won’t complain about shooting on a team with three big scorers, Nurkic fits better.

Phoenix is weak in the paint beyond him, as shown against the Lakers. While Nurkic was in foul trouble, Durant was the Suns’ most successful center without him. As if he had enough Thursday, he had to defend Davis multiple times.

Phoenix loses a proven big man when Nurkic is subbed out, which might hurt them against the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. This may change before the trade deadline. Until then? Durant, Booker, and Beal must score well, and it won’t matter.

4. Anthony Davis awakens

AD quickly took social media heat for turning to vapor in the season opener. The Lakers lose when you miss all six second-half shots. Ham wasn’t concerned about that.

“All I want him to do is be аggressive,” the coach stated. “He does that, then I can live with the results, good or bad.”

Davis changed two nights later. He attacked, got to the line seven times, and scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. Finished with 30 points. He did this against a foul-weakened Nurkic and Drew Eubanks, but still.

5. The Player Participation Police won’t arrest the Suns

How is that policy progressing? In collaboration with the player’s union, the league established criteria to encourage basketball play. Eliminate load management forever.

This is especially important for national TV games. In the Sixers-Bucks game Thursday, James Harden was a non-ιnjury scratch, making the policy more relevant. Not Suns-Lakers.

Because Booker and Beal were injured and needed time to rehabilitate. Booker hurt his foot late in the Warriors opener, and Beal has had low back pаin since preseason.

The Suns have no reason to not start both players two games in. Early load management has no benefit.

Coach Frank Vogel stated, “I wouldn’t sаy it’s more serious…they can’t play tonight.”

So they didn’t. The game was fun regardless.