Frustration for Lakers After Close Loss
PHOENIX — The Lakers are grappling with disappointment again.
Thursday’s 113-110 road loss to the Suns stings, especially when you consider the effort they showed in the closing minutes. Had they played with that same intensity throughout the game, they likely wouldn’t have been facing a third consecutive defeat during a stretch of unfocused play.
Luka Doncic’s incredible shot-making and 41-point night shouldn’t have been necessary to keep pace with the Suns, who were missing key players Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
The game swung on Royce O’Neal’s last-second three-pointer and an open look from Austin Reaves that went wide, which could have changed the outcome entirely.
“It’s about controlling the controllables,” Reaves reflected on the Lakers’ struggle. “Some plays made a difference, and if we improve just a bit, it could sway the game. Every possession counts. You might think that’s a cliché, but really—it’s true. A small mistake can shift the energy in the crowd, and that can energize us.”
Having lost five of their last seven games, the Lakers need to gain control in areas where they can actually dictate play.
Take, for instance, a moment in the fourth quarter when they led 101-89. Reaves boxed out Ryan Dunn after a missed three-pointer, allowing Marcus Smart to secure a defensive rebound.
Smart also played a crucial role, making a key defensive stand to halt a Dunk from Dunn and prevent the Suns from gaining momentum.
Or how about Jake LaRabia’s hustle to intercept a drive from Collin Gillespie late in the game, directly leading to points for the Lakers? These defensive efforts were crucial in erasing a 12-point deficit to tie the game with just a minute remaining.
Yet, the Lakers also made numerous errors. They started strong, leading 19-7 in the early minutes but then fell into poor defensive habits. At times, they overcommitted on defense, missed switches, and allowed easy scoring opportunities for the Suns.
Though the Suns shot a modest 44% for the night, the Lakers did little to contain them, allowing several clean looks.
“The reason we lose more than other teams is because we’re the Lakers, and the way we lose matters,” coach J.J. Reddick noted.
They often face bigger losses due to recurring issues that crop up repeatedly.
How often have players praised their coaching staff for a great game plan only to admit they didn’t execute it properly? It begs the question: What will it take for the Lakers to play with more physicality consistently?
“I don’t know,” Doncic admitted. “We should do more.”
Initially, the Lakers were winning even with their share of flaws, but many of those bad habits linger, despite progress in pockets of their play. Since December 1, their record stands at 19-20, which raises concerns.
“At the start, it worked, but things have shifted,” Smart observed. “Players need to adapt and discover new ways to win. We keep telling ourselves this. It’s frustrating for everyone—us, the coaches, and even the fans. It’s clear we can’t keep going like this.”
If these challenges persist, the Lakers might see their 2025-26 season cut short far sooner than they’d hoped.
