The Phoenix Suns pulled off a thrilling comeback, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 on Thursday night, despite trailing by as much as 12 points in the final minutes. With key players out due to injury, the Suns relied on the scoring prowess of Grayson Allen, who finished with 28 points, and the clutch shooting of Royce O'Neale, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock. The Lakers, led by Luka Doncic's 41 points, nearly pulled off a comeback of their own, but Austin Reaves missed an open corner 3 at the buzzer, allowing the Suns to secure the victory.
The game was a testament to the Suns' resilience, as they erased a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and tied the game at 80 heading into the final period. Allen was on fire in the third, knocking down four 3-pointers and scoring 16 points. Collin Gillespie also made his mark, finishing with 21 points and four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. The Suns' 3-point shooting was impressive, making 22 of 50 attempts (44%).
However, the absence of the injured duo of Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks was felt, as the Suns struggled to find consistent scoring options. The duo averages a staggering 45 points per game, and their absence has left a significant void in the team's offense. This was the first time in the past five games that the Suns scored over 100 points in regulation.
The Lakers, on the other hand, started the second half on a 11-0 run, taking a 60-49 lead, thanks to DeAndre Ayton's alley-oop dunk. Despite the loss, the Lakers showed their ability to bounce back, tying the game at 108 with a minute to go. The final few minutes were a rollercoaster, with both teams trading baskets and the lead changing hands multiple times.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, while the Suns will travel to Sacramento on Wednesday night. The Suns' recent form has been impressive, winning two out of three games since the All-Star break, but they will need to find more scoring options to maintain their success.
