October 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, United States; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) against Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the first half at Crypto.com Area. Mandatory credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Photos
Anthony Davis scored 35 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Austin Reaves added 26 points and eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers recovered from a slow start to beat the visiting Phoenix Suns 123-116 on Friday.
The Lakers gave up 38 points in the first quarter and fell behind by 22 early in the second quarter before reducing the deficit and trailing by nine at halftime.
After even playing Phoenix for much of the third quarter, a 20-6 run by the Lakers in the period gave Los Angeles its first lead since holding a 9-7 lead less than four minutes into the game. game.
The third quarter surge changed the course of the Lakers for the rest of the night. A 9-1 run early in the fourth quarter opened up a 10-point lead that the Lakers maintained much of the way.
Los Angeles responded to every Phoenix attempt at a comeback, including a fast break in which LeBron James threw a no-look pass to Davis for an emphatic dunk. The play resulted in a brief stoppage after former Lakers player Dwight Howard, sitting courtside, nearly fell onto the court in celebration.
The Lakers got another critical basket when Phoenix cut the deficit to six points on a 3-pointer by Devin Booker around the two-minute mark. Rui Hachimura, who scored 14 points for Los Angeles, responded with a 3-pointer.
The Lakers improved to 2-0 to open a season for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Suns. Booker added 23 points and Bradley Beal had 15 points and nine assists. Tyus Jones, who dished out eight assists without turning the ball over in his Phoenix debut on Wednesday against the Clippers, scored 14 points but had three turnovers on Friday.
–Media at field level
