The Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers locked horns in an intraconference regular-season game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday. The Suns arrived in Tinseltown riding a two-game losing streak and holding a 12-9 record. The Lakers entered the game riding a seven-game win streak, sitting in second in the West with a 15-4 record.
The Suns started the game with a lineup featuring Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Royce O'Neale, Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams. LeBron James returned after missing the previous game for the Lakers, joining Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton in the starting lineup.
The Lakers jumped to a 15-11 lead when James went to the bench for his first rest and Jake LaRavia entered the game. The Lakers defended perfectly in the opening minutes and held the Suns to a mere 30% shooting. Doncic caught fire in the latter half of the frame and raced to 20 points on 11 shots.
The Suns' offense came primarily through Booker and Brooks as they combined for 19 first-quarter points. The score was tied at 31-31 at the end of the opening frame.