The Phoenix Suns handed the Los Angeles Lakers their first defeat of the 2024 NBA season in a dramatic 109-105 clash at the Footprint Center on Tuesday night. The Suns’ dynamic duo, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, combined for an impressive 63 points, with Booker scoring 33 and Durant contributing 30. This stunning display secured a hard-fought win for Phoenix and ended the Lakers’ unbeaten start.
Durant, who recently reached an extraordinary career milestone by surpassing 29,000 career points, displayed his usual scoring prowess. Meanwhile, Booker took charge down the stretch, helping the Suns rally past a Lakers team that started strong but faltered in the fourth quarter.
Despite a quiet night from LeBron James, who recorded just 11 points, the Lakers saw a powerful performance from Anthony Davis. He led with 29 points, bolstered by a first-quarter burst that saw him score 16 of the Lakers’ opening 26 points. Austin Reaves also stepped up with 23 points, but it was not enough to sustain their lead through the final quarter.
Under new head coach JJ Redick, the Lakers looked to build on their promising 3-0 start. They opened the game with a blazing 26-8 lead, but the Suns’ defense, praised by head coach Mike Budenholzer, battled back to cut the Lakers’ advantage. By halftime, the Suns had edged ahead 50-48.
The Lakers responded with a dominant third quarter, adding 35 points to reclaim the lead. However, the Suns showed grit and resilience, outscoring the Lakers 33-22 in the fourth quarter to clinch a thrilling victory. Budenholzer highlighted his team’s defensive tenacity, noting that they “took a punch in the first quarter” and found a way to “fight back.”
Meanwhile, in Indiana, the Orlando Magic celebrated a standout performance by Paolo Banchero. The 21-year-old forward scored a career-high 50 points in their 119-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Banchero became the first Magic player to hit the 50-point mark in two decades, tying the franchise’s record for points in a half with 37 in the first two quarters.
Reflecting on his achievement, Banchero said, “It was just being in the zone. I felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in.”
This early-season showdown in Phoenix has NBA fans buzzing, with Durant and Booker’s display a testament to their chemistry and the Suns’ potential this season. Meanwhile, Banchero’s electrifying performance marked an exciting new chapter for the Magic as they aim to contend in the East.
