The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns Thursday night, and it was one of those preseason games that had a little bit of everything—drama, grit, and a surprising outcome. With their superstar LeBron James sitting out for rest, the Lakers faced a challenge, especially as their preseason schedule was winding down. You could feel the tension in the air as the Lakers were looking to shake off a tough stretch, having lost three out of four exhibition games. But what happened next was the kind of unexpected excitement that can only happen in sports. This game wasn’t just about scoring—it was about heart and resilience.
The Game Starts on a Rough Note
In the first half, it was the Phoenix Suns who were dictating the pace. They went on a blistering stretch, and their fast-break offense was on fire. The Lakers were absolutely smoked in transition, being outscored 21-0 on fast-break points during that span. That's an insane stat when you think about it—21-0! It’s no wonder they found themselves trailing by five points at halftime.
But even with that lopsided transition battle, the Lakers never let the game get too far out of reach. Sure, they were down, but they hung in there, clawing their way back. At the end of the day, basketball is a game of runs, and they were determined to make their own. The Lakers weathered the storm and kept themselves in striking distance.
The Fourth Quarter Drama
As the game moved into the fourth quarter, it seemed like the Suns had the upper hand. They were up by nine points with under three minutes left in the game, and it looked like Los Angeles was headed for yet another preseason loss. But here's where things took an exciting turn. The Lakers refused to go quietly into the night. They battled back and forced an overtime that had the fans buzzing.
And in that overtime, it was all Lakers. They outlasted the Suns, winning 128-122 in a thrilling finish. It was a game that showed grit and determination, qualities you love to see from a team heading into the regular season. The overtime period felt like a culmination of everything they'd been working toward in the preseason—fighting through adversity, making key plays when it mattered, and stepping up when the lights are brightest.
Anthony Davis: The Big Man Delivers
One of the biggest reasons the Lakers were able to pull out the win was Anthony Davis. Let’s talk about AD for a minute because he came to play. Davis looked like a man on a mission, and his performance on Thursday night made it clear that he’s ready for the regular season. You could even say he’s still riding the momentum from the Summer Olympics because he was absolutely scorching to start the game.
In the first quarter alone, Davis knocked down all four of his 3-point attempts and racked up 15 points. He was unstoppable. And while he cooled off from behind the arc after that hot start, it didn’t slow him down. Davis continued to dominate in the paint, showing why he’s one of the most versatile big men in the league.
For the game, Davis shot 14-of-28 from the field and finished with 35 points. But it wasn’t just his scoring that stood out—he added 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and a block in 34 minutes of action. That’s an all-around performance if I’ve ever seen one. The only thing that wasn’t clicking for AD? Free throws. He struggled from the line, converting just three of his eight attempts, but that’s something he’ll clean up as the season progresses. All in all, Davis set the tone for the Lakers and carried them when they needed it most.
Austin Reaves: Stepping Into the Spotlight
With LeBron James taking the night off, the Lakers needed someone to step up, and Austin Reaves answered the call. Reaves took on more ball-handling responsibilities against the Suns, and while his assist numbers weren’t eye-popping—just two in 22 minutes—he did a little bit of everything else. One of the most exciting parts of his performance was his shooting, something that had been missing in previous preseason games.
Reaves went 6-of-12 from the field and knocked down all five of his free throw attempts, finishing with 18 points. It wasn’t just his scoring that made an impact; Reaves also grabbed eight rebounds, showing that he can be an important piece on both ends of the floor. His all-around effort was critical in keeping the Lakers in the game and setting the stage for their late comeback.
The Rookie: Dalton Knecht’s Coming-Out Party
While Anthony Davis may have kept the Lakers afloat throughout the game, it was rookie Dalton Knecht who ultimately sealed the deal. Knecht had struggled with his shooting in previous preseason games, but Thursday night was his breakout moment.
Knecht, who was picked 17th in June’s draft, started slow again, going just 2-of-7 through the first three quarters. But when the game was on the line, he caught fire. In the fourth quarter, with the Lakers down by nine, Knecht’s shooting was the spark that ignited their comeback.
It started with a three-pointer with just under a minute to go in regulation that cut the Suns’ lead to three points. And then, with 5.1 seconds left on the clock, Knecht drilled another three to tie the game and send it into overtime. That shot was a "wow" moment, the kind of play that makes you sit up in your seat and realize this kid has serious potential.
Overtime Belonged to Knecht
Once the game hit overtime, it was the Dalton Knecht show. The rookie was unstoppable, hitting three more threes and adding a fast-break layup that put the Lakers up by four with less than a minute to go. That layup essentially iced the game and gave the Lakers their 128-122 win. Knecht finished the game with 35 points, shooting 10-of-18 overall, an impressive 8-of-13 from three, and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Oh, and he wasn’t just scoring—he also grabbed seven rebounds, blocked two shots, and had two steals. Talk about making an all-around impact!
Takeaways for the Lakers
For Lakers fans, this game had a lot to be excited about. Sure, it’s just the preseason, but you have to love seeing a team that fights back and finds ways to win, even without their biggest star in the lineup. Anthony Davis looks like he’s in midseason form, Austin Reaves continues to develop into a key role player, and Dalton Knecht looks like a potential steal from this year’s draft. The regular season is right around the corner, and if this game is any indication, the Lakers might be in for an exciting ride.
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