The Phoenix Suns lost 128-122 to the Los Angeles Lakers in an overtime battle in the final game of the Valley’s 2024-2025 preseason schedule.
An exciting battle, It had many elements of a preseason game, but the Suns played their starters’ extended minutes, Jusuf Nurkić got his first run of the year, and there were many three-point attempts put up. But in the final few minutes of the fourth and in overtime, rookie Dalton Knecht stole the show.
The Big Three played solid, Tyus Jones showed what he could do as a penetrator, and all five starts scored in double digits.
The regular season is now upon us, but here’s how the team’s last preseason game unfolded.
Game Flow
First Half
Out of all players, Anthony Davis started scorching hot from three, drilling four in the first quarter. The Suns played with intention to start, seemingly working on their three point shooting and their offensive aggression. Jusuf Nurkić, who missed the Valley’s first four preseason games, got in on the party, hitting a three himself.
The Big Three especially made an impact to start. With their penetration to the cup, extra passes, and shooting, they were making a concerted effort to get their offensive games in a rhythm, combining for 19 of the team’s 30 first quarter points. Despite the strong Phoenix offense, the Suns couldn’t defend the Lakers shooting in the first quarter. After one, Los Angeles was up 35-30.
Showing off his health and his well documented offseason agility work, Jusuf Nurkić swerved down the lane for an and-one, which he followed up with another and-one the next possession early in the second quarter. His physicality and speed are encouraging signs for Suns fans.
Another encouraging sign? Tyus Jones was very on the offensive end, finding the open man and sifting through the defense to get to the rim. Everyone knows the impact that Jones can have as a distributor for the rest of the team, but the more successful he is as a driver the more he can open up the entirety of the Suns’ offense.
At the half, Phoenix led Los Angeles 67-62. The Suns and Lakers went back and forth making uncontested threes and easy layups. While the Suns showed good signs, it was evident it was a preseason game in the play of both teams. Devin Booker led the Suns in scoring with 20 on an efficient 7-11 from the field. Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 18 points.
Second Half
Both teams started the second half with their original starters, a mild surprise considering the game doesn’t count in the record books. After the Suns called a timeout after the Lakers tied the game at 76 midway through the third quarter, Kevin Durant jammed down a thunderous dunk exciting Kevin Harlan and prompting some solid Phoenix offense.
Phoenix continued the fast pace they played the first half with, getting the attention of the TNT commentators. In their attempt to efficiently run their offense, look for the Valley to play fast throughout the season.
At the end of the third quarter, the Suns led the Lakers 90-82, extending their first half lead, and ending the quarter on a 14-6 run.
Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis were all out there to start the fourth quarter. The broadcast alluded to the extended minutes for the Phoenix starters being a result of the six-day layoff the Suns have until their regular season starts.
Anthony Davis kept the Lakers in the game with his work around the rim. In the process, he contributed to Ryan Dunn’s first foul out of his NBA career. Dunn shot just 1-4 from the field and 1-3 from three, a tepid three-point shooting game after an electric one against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
The Lakers pulled their starters around halfway through the fourth, meanwhile, four of Phoenix’s stayed in. A few minutes later, the Suns’ bench was emptied. With 4.8 seconds remaining, Dalton Knecht tied the game at 113, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, it was a back-and-forth contest, with the teams trading off triples, but Knecht continued to dominate, hitting some ridiculous shots in the contest. The University of Tennessee product led the Lakers to a 128-122 victory, scoring 20 straight points. Both Knecht and Davis had 35 for the Lakers, Devin Booker led the Suns with 22.
The preseason is now officially over.
Next up is what we’ve all been waiting for, THE REGULAR SEASON!!! The Valley begins its title journey next Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first-ever game at the Intuit Dome.
We hope you join us in what will be a fun ride this year watching, micro-analyzing, and enjoying the Suns playing basketball.