What hurt Los Angeles in narrow loss to Suns, according to JJ Redick
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a third consecutive defeat after a setback against the Phoenix Suns, 113-110at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Thursday.
Royce O’Neal was the unlikely hero for the exhausted Suns, draining a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left to seal the win.
The Lakers had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Austin Reaves missed his last attempt from deep. They fell to 34-24, while the Suns improved to 34-26.
Lakers coach JJ Redick once again highlighted their lack of defensive effort as a big factor in their most recent loss, as reported by The Athletic’s Dan Voike.
“JJ Redick said the Lakers talked about limiting their shooters, not in terms of attempts, but attempts. The Suns took 50 (3s). He said that’s the part that ‘hurt us a lot,'” Woike wrote on X.
The Lakers shot better from the field at 51% compared to the Suns’ 46%. Phoenix, however, had 11 more 3-pointers, going 22 of 50 from long range.
Los Angeles is allowing 36.5 three-point attempts this season.
The purple and gold still couldn’t get the job done even though Phoenix was playing without its top two scorers, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, due to injuries.
Since being signed by the Lakers last season, the 41-year-old Redick has repeatedly stressed the importance of letting go on the defensive end. They are giving up 115.9 points on 48.7% shooting this season—both in the bottom half of the league.
The Lakers came back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to give them a chance to win against the Suns.
Luka Dončić scored 41 points with eight rebounds and assists. Reaves and LeBron James combined for 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Deandre Ayton had another miserable game with two points and four rebounds.
2026-02-27 07:00:00
