Suns Crush Lakers Despite Devin Booker’s Early Exit
So here’s what went down in Los Angeles — and honestly, it turned into a much wilder night than anyone expected. The Phoenix Suns walked into Crypto.com Arena facing a red-hot Lakers team riding a seven-game win streak. The building was packed, loud, and ready for another big show. But instead, fans ended up witnessing a very different storyline, starting with Devin Booker’s sudden exit.
Booker came out looking sharp, dropping 11 quick points in the first quarter, moving smoothly, and setting the tone for Phoenix. Then, out of nowhere, he checked out of the game with just over two minutes left in the opening period. No fall, no clear moment — just a quiet substitution followed by the announcement that he was done for the night with a right groin injury. It’s tough timing, especially considering he’s had a history of groin issues in past Decembers. His early exit definitely caused concern, but strangely, it didn’t shake the Suns’ momentum at all.
Also Read:In fact, what happened next looked like a complete shift in energy. Instead of slowing down, the Suns erupted — and Dillon Brooks lit the spark. Brooks went off for 33 points, including an unreal stretch where he hit 10 shots in a row. Collin Gillespie backed him up with a career performance, drilling eight threes on his way to 28 points. With Booker sidelined, those two stepped into the spotlight and completely took over.
The Suns didn’t just score — they controlled the game mentally and defensively. They closed the second quarter with a massive 31-11 run, walked into the locker room up by 14, and never looked back. They forced 22 Lakers turnovers and turned those mistakes into 32 points. Every time the Lakers tried to push back, Phoenix pushed harder.
On the Lakers’ side, Luka Dončić put up a huge night — 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists — but it wasn’t nearly enough. LeBron James struggled, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, though he did manage to keep his double-digit scoring streak alive before checking out. Aside from Austin Reaves adding 16 points, L.A. never quite found its rhythm.
By the time the final buzzer hit, the Suns had handed the Lakers a 125-108 defeat, snapping their seven-game run and ending their own two-game skid. All while missing Booker, Grayson Allen, Jalen Green, and others.
So now the big question is Booker’s status. Head coach Jordon Ott said he hopes to know more soon. Meanwhile, the Suns prepare to take on the Houston Rockets next, carrying a huge dose of confidence — and the reminder that this team can fight through adversity and still deliver a statement win.
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