Luka Dončić shined in his preseason debut, but the Lakers fell to the Suns for their third preseason loss, 113-104.
With Luka and Austin Reaves on the floor, the Lakers controlled the game even without a host of rotation players. But as the team exited the game in the second half, Phoenix played its way back into the game after trailing by as many as 15 points.
Luka ended with 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes. Austin Reaves followed right in line with 25 points, four rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes.
Deandre Ayton pitched in with 10 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Marcus Smart had a very quiet debut as he didn’t attempt a shot, notched one assist and had two fouls in 20 minutes.
Nick Smith Jr. notched eight points. Jake LaRavia had eight points, eight rebounds and three assists. Bronny James had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and a block.
Former Laker Jordan Goodwin had a huge game, finishing with 24 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal.
The Suns were without most of their usual lineup, which included Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green.
Former Laker Jordan Goodwin started things with a layup. Luka missed his first shot, but connected on his second attempt, drawing a foul and completing the three-point play.
Phoenix’s Jared Butler had seven of their nine points. Reaves was off to a nice start for LA with four points. The Lakers jumped to a seven-point lead after a 3-pointer from LaRavia, forcing a Suns timeout.
Out of the break, Luka threw up a lob to Ayton, who connected on the dunk. Los Angeles also converted on two 3-pointers from Luka and Bronny James. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by seven.
The second quarter was dominated by the pair of Luka and Reaves, who were doing everything offensively for the Lakers. Reaves opened the quarter with a strong start, including a driving dunk.
Luka checked in at the midway point and took over the reins. He set up a pair of Nick Smith Jr. threes, the first coming after he rebounded his own missed free throw.
He also did plenty of scoring of his own, connecting on a barrage of 3-pointers. He capped off his incredible half with a step-back jumper beyond the arc, giving him 22 first-half points.
At halftime, Los Angeles was up 10. Reaves and Luka combined for 40 points on 12-20 shooting.
LA started the second half strong with Luka and Reaves combining for a quick five points. Khaman Maluach was having an impressive game for the Suns with 15 points. The Suns were able to tie the game with a massive 22-7 run, as the Lakers were playing sloppily with 13 turnovers.
Goodwin was fouled on a 3-pointer, which he drained, and completed the four-point play.
Luka and Reaves were done for the rest of the game. The Suns outscored LA 33 to 16 in the quarter. Phoenix had a lead of six going into the final frame.
The Lakers started the final period with a five-second violation. They rectified it with R.J. Davis stealing the ball and converting a layup on the other end. The Goodwin revenge game continued as he scored again on a layup.
Despite the Suns taking full control of the game, Los Angeles was still very much in it until Phoenix scored a pair of 3-pointers to make it a 10-point game with 8:12 left. Nate Williams scored a quick five points to make things interesting.
LA was battling well, having an answer each time the Suns wanted to create some distance with their lead. Bronny now had seven points. He was being aggressive and attacking the paint.
Butler was still unconscious from the field with a total of 33 points. The Lakers threw up a few shots, but missed and couldn’t come back.
Turnovers are not good. Don’t turn the ball over.
The Luka-Ayton connection is going to be special as they get more time together.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
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