The Los Angeles Lakers secured a thrilling 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, marking their first 2-0 start to a season since 2010-11. Anthony Davis led the charge with an impressive 35-point performance, while Austin Reaves contributed 26 points to the team's success.
Despite trailing by 22 points in the second quarter, the Lakers mounted a remarkable comeback, fueled by LeBron James' 17 second-half points. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 30 points, and Devin Booker added 23 in a valiant effort.
At halftime, the Lakers found themselves down 61-52 but turned the tide in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 35-24. Davis and James each scored 11 points in the pivotal period, propelling Los Angeles into the lead.
Key Takeaways
Suns: Phoenix started strong, making 21 of their first 30 shots, including nine consecutive 3-pointers. However, their shooting cooled off as they went 21 of 52 for the remainder of the game. The Suns shot 24 of 39 in the first half but struggled in the third quarter, going 9 of 27. They held a commanding 38-23 lead after the first quarter.
Lakers: JJ Reddick made history as the first Lakers coach to win his first two games since Phil Jackson in 1999.
Key Moment
The turning point came when the Lakers, trailing 81-74 with three minutes left in the third quarter, went on a crucial nine-point run to seize the lead. This surge was part of a 20-6 run that spanned nearly five minutes from late in the third to early in the fourth quarter.
Key Stat
The Lakers showcased their sharpshooting prowess, going 14 of 27 on 3-pointers. Reaves led the charge with a 5-of-7 performance from beyond the arc, while James, Dalton Knecht, and Rui Hachimura each made two 3-pointers.
Up Next
Both teams will be back in action on Saturday night with home games. The Suns are set to take on Dallas, while the Lakers will face Sacramento in their next matchup.
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