Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with guard Gabe Vincent (7) and center Christian Koloko (10) after a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Luka Doncic had 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, Austin Reaves added 28 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 107-96 win over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Jaxson Hayes matched his season high with 19 points and Dorian Finney-Smith added 10 for the Lakers (41-25), who led by as many as 20 and held the Suns to 39.3 percent shooting, including 9 of 41 (22 percent) from 3-point range.
Playing without injured starters LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers shot 43.2 percent from the field and 35.9 percent (14 of 39) from beyond the arc.
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Luka Dončić did a little bit of everything in the @Lakers’ matinee win over Phoenix!
🏀 33 PTS
🏀 11 REB
🏀 8 AST
🏀 4 3PM
🏀 2 STL pic.twitter.com/xLNFSsMM7K— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2025
Kevin Durant led Phoenix (31-37) with 21 points and nine rebounds. Devin Booker scored 19 points, Ryan Dunn had 13, Nick Richards added 11, and Royce O’Neale chipped in 10. The Suns have lost three of their last four games.
Los Angeles trailed 9-8 in the early minutes before going on a 23-2 run to move ahead 31-11 with 1:21 left in the first quarter. Doncic scored 13 straight points during the run.
Phoenix trailed 31-15 at the end of the opening period and 54-37 at the half.
Doncic and Reaves combined for 30 points in the first half for the Lakers, who limited the Suns to 36.4 percent shooting for the half, including 2 of 18 (11.1 percent) from 3-point range.
Phoenix responded after intermission and cut the deficit to 63-55 with 7:04 left in the period after O’Neale’s trey capped an 8-0 run.
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The Suns trailed 83-71 at the end of the third quarter and pulled within 85-76 on Tyus Jones’ 3-pointer with 9:10 left in the contest.
Los Angeles saw its lead cut to 100-92 with 2:03 left before Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer on the Lakers’ next possession to help seal the victory.
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Phoenix guard Bradley Beal exited the game at the half with left hamstring tightness and did not return.
Los Angeles improved to 26-7 at home this season and earned a split in the four-game season series against the Suns.
